Volt gauge reading high

[henryb]

I have seen this for quite some time, where, when I start up and after it warms up a bit... The dash mount volt gauge reads quite high, 15-16 volts.

Last year when I was getting the Stator swapped out at the local shop, I had already purchased a replacement voltage regulator and they swapped that part at the same time (this issue was happening before the stator change).

Normally, I just click on the blower and it will cause the voltage to drop back a couple volts.

If I don't turn on the blower, it seems that the voltage regulator does do its job eventually... Once the engine revs up a bit, the voltage will also creep up and once it gets over 16v, the regulator must cut in and it drops down to 13-14v range on its own. It's seems to stay there for the rest of the ride.

Not sure where to go from here? I compared the dash mount volt gauge with readings from a good volt meter directly on the battery, they are very close, within .1 volts. So, I don't think it's a false reading?

Any suggestions?

 

[Dr Honda]

I would double check that with a hand held volt meter. BUT... if you have a regulator going bad... that can happen. AND... high(er) voltage can destroy other electronics. I would plan on a new regulator to be safe. (OEM not aftermarket)

 

[henryb]

Ok, so I replaced the voltage regulator a year ago with an OEM unit, although it was used.

So what I have found online is this:
- unbranded new $29US
- Seirra new $108US
- OEM used $50-$80US
- OEM new $180US

All above options come with $20-$30US shipping charge. The CDN to US conversion is about another 33%. So the OEM new option adds up to about $300CDN.

I can get one at the local Marina for $279CDN, plus tax it's about $300.

If that is not the problem, it's a lot of cash to spend? Is there any way to test the voltage regulator? I have the very original part that was swapped out last year, and it worked exactly the same!

 

[Dr Honda]

Just hook a crappy hand held VOM to the system as a second source check. tape/zip-tie it down to the dash, and hook it to any power source, and go out for a ride. Then... if the dash goes high... see what the VOM says.

If they are both high... replace the regulator. If the dash is high, and the VOM is normal... don't worry.

My Polaris PWC registers high all the time... but the actual voltage is correct. Basically... the volt meter in the dash sucks.

 

[henryb]

Ok, so I tapped the hand held volt meter onto the battery posts directly and started up the engine. Waited for the voltage to rise on the dash gauge... Sure enough, the hand held measured the same readings!

One note is that the voltage regulator does eventually kick in... After about 5-10 seconds of reading 16v... It drops down to 13-14v and stays there for the remainder of the ride.

I'm just wondering what kind of reaction time should it have... is 5-10 seconds too long?

 

[Dr Honda]

It should never really go high. Some systems... a spike can take it out. (Like the MPEM's) Basically... the transistor in the reg is starting to go bad, and it has to go high before it kicks in.

I know you said you replaced it... but since it's used... it's irrelevant. If you want it to last... get a new OEM. Even if $$$ is a concern... replacing it 3 or 4 times (used or aftermarket) won't save anything overall.

 

[henryb]

That's why I posted it here, got to be sure!!! Thank you sir!!! Again!

 

[henryb]

Well the new OEM voltage regulator arrived... It was an easy installation. Noting the the new version has a 30A fuse on the main power red wire and a ground wire (that my original one did not have.

I have taken it out about 4-5 times now and the volt gauge never reaches anything higher then 14.5 volts, most of the time it reads 13.5-14.0.

One other bonus is that my tach has been a bit flaky in that it reads once and a while, but other times it does not? Now I think it is cured!!! Reads accurately all the time!