Dancing Voltmeter

[captainmaniac]

This is new... was at the boat today to unload / winterize fresh water system and head / pump out / do oil change / etc.... in preparation for hauling out next week (booo!). Just LOVE trying to take it over for a pump out and return to my slip in 30mph winds.... fun? Wow!

Anyways noticed my voltmeter on the stbd engine wasn't very happy with me, and blower motor was revving up / down as voltage fluctuated. Can't really hear it in this first clip, but was hearing a 'droning' sound from perhaps the alternator as this was happening.

http://s292.photobucket.com/user/captai ... 5.mp4.html

In this clip you can hear the sound/noise fluctuations a bit...

http://s292.photobucket.com/user/captai ... f.mp4.html

Alternator? Voltage regulator? Anyone else seen this before, and/or what do you think this is? Will be dealing with it in the spring in either event.

[prowlersfish]

Bad voltage regulator , lose connection would be where I would look first . Could be a bad alternator But less likely .

[jhalb]

Any luck yet? My port voltmeter does the same.

[Allen Sr]

I would take a meter and check the alternator and battery voltages to see if the problem exists there before I did anything else.

[captainmaniac]

That VR was replaced about a month ago by my mechanic. I swapped the old one (now a 'spare') back in and the voltage was reading steady. Talked to the mechanic, and he figures the new VR had a problem and a diode is gone, so handed me a new one and is sending the old back for replacement under warranty. Hauled out today to won't be able to try the new reg until the spring, but I think his diagnosis is probably right (and given that the problem went away when I put my old old reg back in place).