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Bad alternator?

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joto1973

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My '97 Challenger will fire up after a new charge. I last took it out and it died after about an hour. Could not start it up, so charged battery again and got it up and running. Had a suggestion that this might be the alternator? Any thoughts?
 
Your seadoo doesn't have a alternator, It has a magneto charging system. If you use a multi meter and check the terminals on the battery at rest. it should put out about 12.4+- volts. With the seadoo running the battery should be receiving about 14.4+- volts at the same terminals. Check the 15 amp fuse in the box where the main battery cable goes to. It is possible that the charging fuse isn't good, or it could be the regulator /rectifier.

Karl
 
Tried again.

Back at it finally. I checked the battery at rest and got about 11.8. After starting but without any throttle, I got 11.4. I checked the fuses and couldn't see any that looked blown. Since I had it out, I charged the battery and she started right up twice for me here in the garage. Should that tell me what I'm looking at?
 
rectifier

sounds like a bad one. If the volts dont increase with motor even at idle, then it (rectifier) aint work'n. Should read high 13/low 14 volts, when motor on and at 5500rpm.
 
Rectifier, huh?

What's involved with changing that? I don't even know where I would find that in the engine compartment. I've read posts on here that lead me the rectifier or the stator. Don't know where that is either. I need a good book with lots of pictures. :)
 
It started up, so we took it out and I had it running for about 30 minutes, up to 6500 RPM. Then, from idle, started going again but the engine started straining for about 10 seconds and it died. Tried several times to start, but no good. It was turning, so electric wasn't a problem, but it wouldn't start up. Rack up another tow.
 
maybe the system was run'n off the battery juice, instead of the current made from the stator assy, which then is converted to dc current from the rectifier. Now, you have another drained battery.?
 
hey guys! i am having the same exact problem. i have not checked the volts yet, but i am doing that next. i changed the rectifier, and it still seems to drain the battery until i recharge it. my question is, if it is not the battery or the rectifier and fuses, what should i change next? thanks guys! rick
 
well im kinda having the same thing ive changed the rectifier and the 15 amp fuse is good and i cant break 13 volts at the battery so i am going to dig into my stator tonight
 
SRUSH, i am having the same exact problem. I changed the recitifer, but still wont show over 13 volts with engine running. please let me know if you figure something out. I have a 97 challenger. thanks. rick
 
well i ran into a few other things along the way but ill be back on that issue shortly, i did test the stator like described in the manual with an ohm meter and everything checked out that way i did get my battery to 13.02 at 5500 but still short of the 14 id like to see
 
HOw to check magneto

Ive got the same problems with batterys going flat. I pulled the front cover, and a loose botl had taken a winding out. HOw do you go about testing the Magnetto with an ohms meter, which pins are which, on the plug going through the stator housing? . I rewound one of the coils on my mag, and no one can tell me if they need to be connected in any particular order, just to make shure the resistance of each winding is the same. When I bought the ski ( 1996 GTX ) the magneto wires were broken ( not connected ). Any help would be great, as Magnetos / Stators are an arm and a leg, rectifiers are relatively cheap is thats my only problem.
 
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