Volvo D1-30 alternator alarm going off

[jlavery]

I've just had a reconditioned Volvo D1-30 fitted, and have also replaced the cockpit control panel.

The alternator which came with the engine was faulty - was charging at 17 volts!

I've now replaced the alternator, but am still getting alarms on the control panel.

The symptoms are:

• When panel power is turned on, error indicator in large triangle appears. From memory, the only thing displayed is the error triangle - nothing else. It can be cancelled using the cancel button.
• Pressing the start button results in the engine starting successfully.
• The error indicator reappears immediately after engine start, alternating with a battery symbol. This can be cancelled.
• Batteries are being charged from the alternator - at about 15.4V
• The error recurs while the engine is running, with no recognisable pattern (e.g. engine revs)

Does anyone have knowledge of whether this is an MDI failure (I've read about problems with them!), or a display unit failure?

I've also read somewhere that the error could be because the charging voltage is above 15V.


Any thoughts on how I can diagnose?

 

[robmcg]

15.4v? There is your problem. The alternator (for whatever reason) is outputting too high a voltage.

 

[jlavery]

15.4v? There is your problem. The alternator (for whatever reason) is outputting too high a voltage.

I did query this with the very experienced marine electrician who's familiar with the boat's setup. His comment was that 15.4 was "a little over" what he'd expect - he'd prefer a max of 15V, and could be failing batteries.

 

[robmcg]

I would say 15v isn't going to the batteries much good in the long run.

 

[jlavery]

I would say 15v isn't going to the batteries much good in the long run.

I agree - that's something I need to look into.

But is this the reason for the alarm - it not liking the charging voltage?

 

[jlavery]

Aha - looks like it could be a problem with the sense wire connection - from this thread

 

[QBhoy]

Is that voltage a reading from the batteries directly and using a meter ? Of from the gauge on dash ?

 

[jlavery]

Is that voltage a reading from the batteries directly and using a meter ? Of from the gauge on dash ?

It's from the gauge on the instrument panel. I haven't checked direct on the batteries - something I should have checked! Can do so tomorrow.

 

[QBhoy]

It's from the gauge on the instrument panel. I haven't checked direct on the batteries - something I should have checked! Can do so tomorrow.

Yeah. Have a look directly at batteries with a meter. Put a load on them too by turning a few things on and watch what happens. Good luck

 

[jlavery]

Aha - looks like it could be a problem with the sense wire connection - from this thread

Success! Looks like the sense wire was faulty - maybe somewhere in the loom.

After discussing with my electrician, I replaced the sense wire with a direct connection to the starter motor positive. We now have 14.2V - 14.3V charging, and no alarms.