Re: 1983 50 hp Johnson Rectifier test results

[billw]

For what it’s worth, I also agree that your test is showing a good rectifier. The diode/beep test is actually a voltage drop test, which shows a half-volt drop across each one, in one direction only. That’s right. What’s not right is 12.2 volts. A fully charged battery should just sit on the floor and have 12.6 to 12.8 volts ready to go. 12.2 is pretty low. How old is the battery? If it’s older than three or four years, I would can it without a second thought, ESPECIALLY if it’s an Exide. You literally could not GIVE me an Exide, after what those things have put me through, even in my old Ranger. (The only time my Ranger failed to start in TWENTY YEARS of ownership, was when a TWO-year-old Exide failed.) Like Don said, those charging systems only put out a few amps max; and a failing battery will take all of those amps, without getting to charge voltage. A battery can be capable of starting a little 50 hp outboard and still be failing internally…..

Long live American manufacturing!