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Bad Rectifier???

J

John Haggerty

Contributing Member
89 70hp Johnson

How do I know if the rectifier is going bad? I've had a few instances where the volt meter was reading very high (16+v) compared to normal. That could just be in the meter circuit. I just recently had an event where the starting power didn't seem there after running about 30 minutes. Tempted to change it out as it is cheap and easy, however that violates "leave good enough alone". Stator seems clean.

Thanks,
John
 
The tachometer operates off of the charging system... if the tachometer functions as it should, the rectifier is okay.

That 1989 70hp is not equipped with a voltage regulator... only a rectifier and is therefore not voltage regulated and the voltage will climb at times (unavoidable)... turn something on to bring it down.

A failing rectifier or stator will not cause the voltage to increase... quite the opposite!

Yeah... leave good enough alone. :)
 
Rectifiers do not gradually "go bad". They either work or they don't work. If you are having intermittent problems, check the battery and wiring. And unregulated charging systems are just that---voltage unregulated. It is normal for them to get up around 16V.
 
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