Rectifier location?

[Sandman251]

Hi. 97' Challenger 110. 145psi compression. Having the same nagging intermittent issue with not getting to full-plane full RPM. No cavitation. Boat plows water at 5K until it decides to get up and go. Tried everything else carbs (cleaned), raves, Etc. Been reading about a bad rectifier as a possible culprit. Where exactly is the rectifier and the infamous "red wire"? Thanks.

 

[crundell73]

it will be in back by the engine compartment in the gray box it is silver and has a clear jell you can see through on it and has three yellow wires and one red coming out of it , if you have two engines like my boat you will have two reflectors .

 

[Sandman251]

In the box, huh? Guessing its the box on the forward bilge wall? (on a 97 challenger). I'll open the box and pull the red wire.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If your compression numbers are accurate. Then you have an issue. 10% difference between cylinders Max is the acceptable figure. You are near 20%. Plus, 110 is to low. 120 is the norm low and still be ok. After that, something needs addressed.


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[Dr Honda]

If your compression numbers are accurate. Then you have an issue. 10% difference between cylinders Max is the acceptable figure. You are near 20%. Plus, 110 is to low. 120 is the norm low and still be ok. After that, something needs addressed.


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I had to read that myself a couple times. I think he means that he has a "Challenger" with the "110 HP" engine. ie... a single 800.


Sandman: when it gets up to 5000 RPM... is it sputtering, or missing? If not... then it's not electrical. When I see this issue... generally, the water regulator has gone bad... and there's too much water in the pipe.

 

[Sandman251]

Sorry. I guess the post is confusing. It is a 787 110hp. 145 psi both cylinders.
Doc, I don't really notice a miss or sputter while it is acting up. However, I had been noticing an unusually high rate of discharge of the battery. The battery is a brand new Exide nautilus group 27. I'd show up after a few days expecting to still see a full charge from the last time out, and I'd be at like 30%. Granted, I played the stereo a little, but with around 100AH that should hardly make a dent. I didn't expect to have to charge that battery all season. In searching the archives, I read that dead batts and these sort of performance issues might lead one to suspect the rectifier. Might a fully charged battery tend to overcome this rectifier condition..at least temporarily? This condition almost never occurs first hole shot of the day. Almost always occurs at the end of the day.
Is the water regulator a propulsion component or exhaust?

 

[Sandman251]

I see now... the WR is the piece that looks a RAVE on the resonator? How might one check for proper operation?

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... the water regulator looks like a RAVE in the water box. The easiest way to check it out, is to take it off... and then take it apart. It's common for the clamp to rot out... and then it just floods the system. When that happens... it will run well... but it looses it's push at the upper RPM's.

So, inspect the internals, and see if anything is messed up. THEN... check the fittings in the pipe, and make sure they are clear.


With that said... if your system isn't charging... then there can be an issue there too. But it's easy to check. Put a volt meter on the battery. Sitting, you should be at +12v. (normally around 12.3~12.7v) Go for a ride, and the voltage after a few minutes running should be +13v. If it's getting upward of 14~15 volts... then yes... the regulator is going bad, and that's where you issue is.

 

[crundell73]

you say your battery is not charging or staying charged that sounds like your stator and I just had to clean mine was full of shavings from the starter was burning out my mpem's not sure if that is what is going on but they are the same year and my engine was not touched so no one has cleaned it but the other engine has be worked on and not having that problem ! would check your raves first .

 

[Sandman251]

Thanks guys. So much info....so little time. Hoping to spend some alone time with the boat during our 7 months of down time here in MI