Volvo Penta D2 Battery Alarm

[Dave100456]

The battery alarm (indicating alternator is not charging or voltage is too high) is coming on intermittently (4 times in 100hrs running). Whilst this could be an alternator fault I could do with some info before I go fault finding please.

Would some knowledgeable person let me know the maximum and minimum values of voltage outside of which the VP alarm triggers please.

Internet searches suggest that the presence of other charge controllers in the circuit can trigger the alarm and this may be the case here.

Thanks

 

[VicS]

The battery alarm (indicating alternator is not charging or voltage is too high) is coming on intermittently (4 times in 100hrs running). Whilst this could be an alternator fault I could do with some info before I go fault finding please.

Would some knowledgeable person let me know the maximum and minimum values of voltage outside of which the VP alarm triggers please.

Internet searches suggest that the presence of other charge controllers in the circuit can trigger the alarm and this may be the case here.

Thanks

The alarm should be triggered if the voltage falls below 13 volts for more than 10 seconds while the engine is running or rises above 15 volts for more than 30 seconds.

Start by checking all connections and belt tension then if there is no panel voltmeter connect a voltmeter and wait for the fault to occur. When it does note if the volts is above or below these limits.

You will find the electrical section of the workshop manual and troubleshooting guide at http://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/MID.pdf

 

[Dave100456]

Vic
Thank you for the link to the manual, very useful and for other items too.

I have checked the obvious wiring connections and its a new engine so whilst its not guaranteed be perfect, it should be okay.

I have fitted two solar controllers and have read on forums that smart charge controllers can interfere with the MDI sensor and give false alarms.

Like all intermittent faults it'll be 99% time spent finding and 1% time fixing. When the alarm has come on it has been when the batts are fully charged ie after periods of motoring with strong sun so PV feeding in too.

Perhaps I'm looking for too complex problems but we'll see.

 

[jordanbasset]

Start by checking all connections

I had the same problem, also have Volvo D2, very intermittent alarm but checking voltage/charging of batteries themselves showed they were good. I tightened up the connections, one was perhaps not as tight as it could have been, it did the trick and the problem has not re-occurred
By coincidence I also have solar panels and also thought after doing an internet search this may have been a problem, but as I was in Greece for 2 years before the fault developed I thought it unlikely

 

[Dave100456]

Thanks Jordan, I'll do some more checking to eliminate loose connections.