1997 two stroke 115 not charging

[dngharvey]

What would be the most likely issue to keep this recently purchased 1997 115 two stroke from charging? I'm not real good with things electrical.
Runs great otherwise. It has the digital gauge with trip/speed/clock and battery that I,ve never seen go above 12 volts and is usually at 11.8 or lower.
Hoping this is something simple, not many Yammie shops around here.

[99yam40]

lighting coil or rectifier/regulator

Have you measured the voltage at battery or anywhere else with a good hand held meter to make sure it is not a bad connection?

[dngharvey]

lighting coil or rectifier/regulator

Have you measured the voltage at battery or anywhere else with a good hand held meter to make sure it is not a bad connection?

Thanks for the reply, don't find a "lighting coil" in parts breakdown, just regulator? Same thing? Batteries are new and take a charge fine, just gradually lose voltage in use since it is not charging.
Also found a burned/melted wire but can't trace it at either end, it's in the bundle coming from aft to control area. It looks possible that a new wire was run to bypass it and I'm wondering if the problem is related.
Digital gauge flashes continuous whatever the juice is for battery selected.
You and Rodbolt are the best! Always enjoy your answers!

[99yam40]

The service manual for your motor should have the steps to test and specs for what voltage you should see, and what test equipment to use.
If you do not have these then find someone that does to work on it

[boscoe99]

You won't find the lighting coil in the parts catalog. The lighting coil is part of the stator that you will find in the parts catalog.

The lighting coil generates electricity. High AC voltage.

The rectifier/regulator converts the AC voltage to DC voltage and regulates the output to nominally 14.5 volts or thereabouts.

Get a copy of the applicable service manual. Seems that you need to start tracing wires around. On the burned wire are you able to determine what its original colour(s) was? That will go a long way to helping solve the problem. The SM will tell you where the wire goes to and where it comes from. And, where it might branch out along the way.

[dngharvey]

Thank you all, don't have a manual....yet! Motor is new to me, trying to get through the season and make a winter job of it.

[dngharvey]

You won't find the lighting coil in the parts catalog. The lighting coil is part of the stator that you will find in the parts catalog.

The lighting coil generates electricity. High AC voltage.

The rectifier/regulator converts the AC voltage to DC voltage and regulates the output to nominally 14.5 volts or thereabouts.

Get a copy of the applicable service manual. Seems that you need to start tracing wires around. On the burned wire are you able to determine what its original colour(s) was? That will go a long way to helping solve the problem. The SM will tell you where the wire goes to and where it comes from. And, where it might branch out along the way.

Got a chance to take another look, wire was black and in a bundle coming from the rear of the 704 control to the gauge panel. I have a blow up wiring diagram now and looks like a ground that somehow shorted. It appears that a second wire was added to replace it but still checking.
Thanks for the input.

[rodbolt17]

chasings ghosties.
nice thing about chasing ghosts. its popular as a TV show.

[dngharvey]

You guys on here are the best! Replaced the rectifier/regulator and am now charging! It's a '97 motor and the ground wire had a 1997 stamped on it so apparently it was the original.
In any event, it is for now the other kind of boat....one that ain't broke.
Thanks again!

[dngharvey]

Update

As a follow up on this " no charge" issue, replaced the ground wire entirely from the 703 control to the back of the instrument panel, found it completely burned through in at least two places, have no clue how everything was still functioning. This ground was one of four wires in the bundle along with red, yellow, and green.
Learned from the previous owner that a marina lackey installed a new battery with reversed terminals. Guessing it's real fortunate it was not a lot worse.
Got a lot of help here and appreciate it!