Originally posted by Yachtcare:
Richard, Thanks for the ideas. Yes I have Pertronix, but your statement, they only guarantee them to 16 volts confuses me. Should I take that to mean I should have more than 12-14.2 volts at the coil on startup?
Yes, I have a one wire alternator. A single 10 ga wire run to the top of the old regulator, with a new 10 ga run over to the battery side from there. Where there would normally be a two prong harness connector, there is a solid plastic plug on the rear edge of the alt.
I had read the madelectrical stuff when I was debating the one/three wire method. Obviously, I was sold on the one wire method anyway. I will review the info, especially the remote voltage sensing stuff again however. Thanks again.
No you should not have more than 12-14 volts at the coil (or at the battery) at startup. That's the maximum you should have.
A one-wire alternator requires "excitement" (no, don't show it Playboy centerfolds) to begin producing output current. 1500 rpm is usually the minimum speed to excite the alternator. This may be why you're seeing funny readings. If the motor hasn't been spun above 1500-2000 rpm, the alternator may not be charging.
On the other hand, as someone said, if you have a 6v battery, it may be sensing a low battery condition and trying to charge the hell out of it. I'd need to see the circuit to dig into that a little further.
As far as running poorly after it comes up to temp, that sounds like a choke (are you running an electric, heat stove or manual choke?) or vacuum leak peoblem. I'd hunt those areas down to make sure that they're not causing you grief.
Good luck.
