CDI Electronics Outboard Ignition Troubleshooting Guide

7 General Troubleshooting General Battery Differences Maintenance-free batteries (gel cells / AGM / closed-case) have thin plates. They’re ideal for a charging system that maintains a typical charge between 12.5V – 14.4V, but not for outboards, where batteries are commonly drained by accessories while fishing, etc. i.e. when there is no charge applied to a battery while the battery is in use. Its thin plates cannot withstand constant discharging and charging. It will develop weak and/or dead cells due to this behavior. Maintenance-free batteries should not be used because their life span is shortened when used on an outboard application. A new fully-charged, maintenance-free battery will work fine at first, but under constant discharging and charging, something that style battery is not designed for, it will eventually become weak and/or develop dead cells, thus unable to accept a full charge, thus putting a rectifier/regulator at extreme risk of failure. Non-maintenance-free batteries (lead-acid flooded cell; has vent caps on its top) have heavy, thick plates. They’re ideal for outboards, where batteries are commonly drained by accessories while fishing, etc. i.e. when there is no charge applied to a battery while the battery is in use. Its heavy plates can withstand constant discharging and charging. These batteries have much more reserve time and are much more suited for this behavior. The recommended type of battery for outboards is a single (NOT more than one) 850+ CCA dual purpose or cranking/starting non-maintenance-free battery. Make sure to charge any battery off of a battery charger BEFORE installing. NEVER allow the stator to charge a battery. The stator is designed to maintain the battery’s voltage at an optimum charge. It’s not designed to charge a dead or weak battery. Make sure the battery is always charged off of a battery charger before each use of the boat to maintain optimum performance and life of the battery, stator and regulator. If multiple accessories are used, a 2nd battery, NOT connected to the starting battery, is recommended. If desired, a make-before-break switch can be used between the two batteries. Make sure to also charge this battery off of a battery charger before each use. NEVER jump-start a battery while an outboard engine is running. This can cause damage to the rectifier/regulator. Always use a battery charger to charge a battery. If no battery charger is available, the rectifier/regulator’s Yellow wires may be disconnected while jump-starting to avoid damaging the rectifier/regulator. Troubleshooting Battery Charging Issues Regardless if the charging issue is overcharging or not charging at all, the #1 cause of all charging issues is the battery often due to improper style and/or charging neglect. #2 is the battery’s connections. #3 is the rectifier/ regulator. #4 is the stator. The battery and/or its connections often cause the rectifier/regulator (and in rare cases, the stator) to become faulty, thus often creating more than one faulty component (Example: Bad battery causing the rectifier/regulator to become faulty). The rectifier/regulator is more susceptible to failure than the stator because its diodes are more fragile than the stator’s typical 12-18 gauge wire encompassing its frame. A rectifier’s job is to convert the stator’s AC signal into DC to charge the battery. In non-regulated applications (rectifier only), the battery acts as its own regulator, which is not designed to do. When it can no longer self-regulate proper voltage from the rectifier, usually due to dead and/or weak cells, it poses a serious threat to rectifier failure and thus needs replacing. This is why a regulator is crucial to a healthy charging system. A regulator’s job is to regulate battery voltage between 12.5 – 15.4V. In this case, it is recommended to replace the rectifier with a combination rectifier/regulator and replace the battery with a dual purpose or cranking/starting non-maintenance-free battery. This way, the battery will no longer have to self-regulate. The rectifier/regulator will take that responsibility, thus giving the entire charging system optimum life. 1. Check all battery connections, particularly at engine ground. Make sure all connections are corrosion-free and tight. Do NOT use wing nuts. They will loosen over time due to vibration, causing battery and/or rectifier/regulator failures. 2. If no change, remove all batteries and try a single (NOT more than one), known-good, fully-charged off a battery