Been a while since I've posted, but just ran into a problem and am seeking information/opinions. Motor died while running recently and wouldn't re-start with symptoms pointing to a dead battery. Battery should have stayed charged while running so initial assumption was charging system problems. Charged up battery the next day and it tested good. Just had the charging system checked at the local shop (not an Allison or Mercury dealer, but I have confidence in them) and was told there is current flowing in but not out of the voltage regulators and they needed to be replaced. I just replaced the regulators last year when I fried the trim circuit so was a bit shocked.
I did have the batteries out of the boat recently and inadvertantly flipped the battery around so hooked up the cables backwards and got a good spark (didn't look at the posts). After a bit of research today, I understand that can pop the rectifier. When I talked to the mechanic about this he said the rectifier is built in to the regulator, so the whole assembly needs to be replaced. I thought the rectifier was a separate part from the regulator but was told some model year motors are separate and others are combined. I guess I'm in a state of denial right now as I'm looking at another $400 and will have about $800 into regulators over the past year. Initially I was hoping it wasn't going to be the stator, but now wish it was!
Anyway, I'm not really questioning the diagnosis but since this shop is not familiar with Mercs, I thought I would bounce this off you guys and see if this sounds right.
Thanks for any input!
I did have the batteries out of the boat recently and inadvertantly flipped the battery around so hooked up the cables backwards and got a good spark (didn't look at the posts). After a bit of research today, I understand that can pop the rectifier. When I talked to the mechanic about this he said the rectifier is built in to the regulator, so the whole assembly needs to be replaced. I thought the rectifier was a separate part from the regulator but was told some model year motors are separate and others are combined. I guess I'm in a state of denial right now as I'm looking at another $400 and will have about $800 into regulators over the past year. Initially I was hoping it wasn't going to be the stator, but now wish it was!
Anyway, I'm not really questioning the diagnosis but since this shop is not familiar with Mercs, I thought I would bounce this off you guys and see if this sounds right.
Thanks for any input!