Outboard won't charge battery.

[Hayden]

I have a 2001 40HP Mercury 2 stroke. Tach works but the battery is not being charged while motor is on at idle or at top speed. Volt meter needle doesn't vary much, just barely over 12 .... like maybe 12.1 and later in the day maybe 11.9 no other variance. What are the possibilities?

Thanks

[sHan tn]

I have a 2001 40HP Mercury 2 stroke. Tach works but the battery is not being charged while motor is on at idle or at top speed. Volt meter needle doesn't vary much, just barely over 12 .... like maybe 12.1 and later in the day maybe 11.9 no other variance. What are the possibilities?

Thanks

could be the stator. they have 2 seperate windings, 1 for charging and one for running, i dont know much obout mercurys though, also check all your plug ins and make sure they are all tight and not caroded

[Hayden]

Thanks for the reply!

I'll double check the connections.

I did replace the battery and it seems much better now but the volt meter on the dash doesn't quite go to 13v when running. However after being out on the lake for several hours I hooked the battery charger up to it and it said the battery was charged. But I do get a low voltage warning on my Humminbird FishFinder. It is set at 11.5 for the alarm. I may have to reduce it.

I'll see if I can find a cheap volt meter and put it on th ebattery to see what it is doing.

Thanks,
Hayden