05 Challenger Battery not holding charge. Stumped.

[allcomcb]

I have been troubleshooting my battery issue for the last couple of days. I have brand new battery that was tested as good. I had it on a trickle charge overnight. At first the boat starts up great and after about 30 mins of ride time I shut it off and the battery is weak and needs a jump start. No low volt lights or error sounds.

I have verified my stator is outputting the correct AC voltage to the Rectifier. I have verified the rectifier is sending over 5 amps of current at 6000 RPMS to the battery. I have made sure the Charging system 30 amp fuse is not blown. I have verified I have correct resistance on all charging devices. Basically all tests pass according to the shop service manual that I am using.

Any other ideas? The manual did say if all tests pass try replacing the rectifier but I have a hard time replacing something that is working correctly according to my DVM readings. Do these go often?

 

[Coastiejoe]

The only thing I don't see listed is,,, what the output voltage to the battery is when the ski is running...

Do you have that value?

 

[allcomcb]

The only thing I don't see listed is,,, what the output voltage to the battery is when the ski is running...

Do you have that value?

Wow you know what? I am only getting .09volts DC coming out of the regulator going to the battery. Indicating the regulator is bad. I have no idea why the shop service manual does not have me test this. They only have be test current at the 30 amp charging fuse connected to the regulator.

Thanks man I think that's my issue. I should have thought of that.

 

[Coastiejoe]

No issue.

My dad has always said two heads are better than one, even if one is a picker head... LOL

Based on all your tests you have done, I think you found your issue.

Good luck,,,

 

[allcomcb]

No issue.

My dad has always said two heads are better than one, even if one is a picker head... LOL

Based on all your tests you have done, I think you found your issue.

Good luck,,,

Alright so I put a new regulator in the boat and retested. I have one more question. My old regulator stayed at .09vlts. The new one seems to be outputing volts at a steady rate. But it starts at 1volt and slowly begins to climb. I only ran it for about 1 minute on the hose and it was climbing to around 3 volts. I am assuming the longer I ran the boat the higher the volts output would be. I was expecting to see 12volts going to the battery imedietly but I am not sure if that is supposed to happen. Is this how this works?

 

[IPvFletch]

I thought it needs to be > 12v in order to actually "charge" the battery? In automobiles, the alternator puts out ~13.8-14.0v typically..

Also, I would be weary of a 7 year old battery - especially when a dead battery could mean you getting stranded on a lake (not sure how big your lake is, but this may or may not be a big deal)..

 

[Coastiejoe]

13.5 to 14.5 is what it should be with a revved engine.

I would also lean in the direction of the condition of the batter if it really is 7 yrs old. It may simply be tired out...

 

[allcomcb]

13.5 to 14.5 is what it should be with a revved engine.

I would also lean in the direction of the condition of the batter if it really is 7 yrs old. It may simply be tired out...

So today I had my meter on the battery while driving around for about 30 minutes. The voltage stayed consistent at around 14 volts the entire time, so I think my charging system is working. What I did find is that when I go to start the boat after stopping the engine, the motor has a real hard time trying to start but eventually will...kind of like a low battery....but as soon as I pull the boat out of the water, it fires right up. I am leaning towards the cheapo starter I put in it last season. I think under load the starter just doesn't have the strength to turn the engine/impeller. I payed about 70 bucks for a new starter off ebay vs the 350 seadoo wants. Luckily I still have the old starter that I think is fine because I was troubleshooting something else last year that ended up being the neutral safety switch so I will swap tomorrow and test. I was expecting to see 12 volts out of the regulator as well, but both regulators are doing the same thing so I think it is normal for the voltage to climb steadily as it senses a drop in battery voltage when the boat is running. The battery is brand new and I have tried 2 of them.