Charging Light Question

[manhattan08]

I stopped by my boat last night (1985 H 285) for the first time in about a week to check on things. I started the engine and noticed that the "Charge" light was illuminated on the engine control panel near the ignition button.

Is it normal for this light to be illuminated? Does it shut off once the batteries reach a certain level of charge?

Is it normal for this light to be on? I have had the shore power plugged in for the past week.....

Thanks for your help.

Chris

[sailingdog]

Don't know, but it may be a charging indicator and on whenever there is a charging level voltage on the batteries... In that case, if you have a shorepower based charger, it won't go out unless you shut the charger off.

If it is an engine warning light... you might want to check the voltage levels coming off the alternator.

[manhattan08]

Now that I think of it, I did have the shore power plugged in while I was running the engine. That may be the reason the charge light was on.

thanks sailing dog....

[JimsCAL]

If the light is still on when you run the engine without the charger, check the battery voltage when the engine is running. It should be over 13 volts. If lower, you have a charging/alternator problem.

[christyleigh]

One very serious reason for the Charge/Gen/Alt light on your engine control panel would be if your generator belt broke. If your fresh and internal water pumps (depending on how they are set up) are also driven by that belt and you didn't run the engine for very long you wouldn't get an Overheat warning so I'd look into it.

[sawingknots]

with the ignition on and the engine [alternator]not running the idiot light should be lit and as soon as the engine starts ,should go off.if it doesn't you have a alternator or wiring problem.never run your engine and an external charger at the same time also never run your engine[diesel] with the ignition off.i would check your connections especially at the alternator,you may need to take your alternator off and get it checked

[sawingknots]

alternators can be quirky,i would also disconnect and reconnect the batteries[who knows]and i have saw them suddenly start charging after a couple of hours with engine running,but definately get it checked before replacing it

[manhattan08]

Thanks everyone for your help. I will check it out this evening and respond back with what I find.

Chris

[sailingdog]

DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES IF THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. Doing so will likely fry your alternator. This is the same reason you don't ever shut the main battery switch off when running the engine.

Originally Posted by sawingknots

alternators can be quirky,i would also disconnect and reconnect the batteries[who knows]and i have saw them suddenly start charging after a couple of hours with engine running,but definately get it checked before replacing it