DF300--inadequate charge at idle

[31Prowler]

I have twin 2014 300s. My port motor doesn't charge well enough at idle. It is consistently 12.1--12.3V at idle. My starboard motor stays at 14.1V at idle. I have been through the batteries and entire wiring multiple times, assuming there's a rigging problem, but no matter what, my port engine is low at idle. At speed it charges as high as 13.3-13.6V, but I know it should be 14.4 or so. My starboard is at 14.4 while running.

Batteries have all been load tested. Batteries have been swapped. The entire house system has been taken out of the equation, and still, no matter what, the port is in the low 12s at idle.

Here's the issue--as it creeps into the lower 12s, I start to get "overheat" and "check shift control" faults, despite the fact that it's not overheating. The shift actuator recall does not apply to this motor since it's in the standard rotation mode. Twice I've hit a dock because the fault didn't allow me to shift when needed.



Please give me this information---what controls the voltage coming off the motor? Voltage regulator? alternator?

For the sake of this thread--please assume 100% certainty that the problem is with the engine. Assuming that's the case, what could the problem be?

Thanks---sorry for the long post!

[keakar]

could be a faulty rectifier telling it it doesn't need to charge the battery so swap them with the other motor and see if the problem swaps motors as well. if that is ok then you need to ohm check your magneto coil under the flywheel. its what generates your voltage and if the resistance is not correct it wont put out the correct voltages but to be honest its more of an all or nothing kinda part so its usually works or not works and not just giving the wrong juice.

I would really check all the electrical connections for corrosion or discoloration issues and test the battery cables from the motor for resistance as that could also be the issue

[31Prowler]

I've checked and rechecked everything in front of the motors multiple times. Also, the problem follows that motor despite swapping all leads around and reversing the rigging setup.

[Harper]

On a 2014 motor.........sounds like warranty work to me. Take 'er back.....make 'em make it right.

[keakar]

On a 2014 motor.........sounds like warranty work to me. Take 'er back.....make 'em make it right.

W O W, no kidding, I missed that.

yes definitely bring it back to the dealer to sort it out

[31Prowler]

Dealer seems to only be interested in the way the boat is rigged vs investigating the engine.

I know--go find another dealer. BUT. For the sake of this thread-- what are the possibilities??

Rectifier? Stator? Voltage regulator?

[keakar]

the possibilities are endless, it could be anything in the electrical system from the battery to the spark plugs.

by the way you could void your warranty making any repairs to a brand new engine. even your attempts to diagnose it could cause them to void a warranty if you take anything apart.

do you want to throw your warranty on that expensive motor in the trash?

I would think you would be more worried about protecting your investment then being without the boat for a few days while they fix it.

and yes I think odds are it could be the stator or the regulator/rectifier (they are one unit)