Now I get it. Thanks for 'splaining' it to me!

I was out this weekend. Both batterys worked well. But the volt meter jumped around a little. I know when you trim or tab the meter goes down a little, that's normal. But when I'm running, it drops to 12 and goes up to 14. It actually went past 14 a little. I'm thinking my regulater is a little funny. It is charging so I don't think it's the alt. Maybe I'm just a little paranoid and the gauge is a little off. Anyway I'm gonna pull the alt. and have it tested to put my mind at ease. This has been an interesting thread, and I appreciate the input from everybody. I'll let you know what's up with my alt. and regulater.

A fully charged battery is at 13.6 volts. At high charge rates it can reach 15 volts.

Unless you are maintaining a classic boat why not up grade to the 21st century and get an alternator with built in regulator. The old electromechanical ones were constant trouble.

Doug,
So basically you're saying that it's normal? I shouldn't worry about it? Where do you get an Alt. with a built in charger? Hey, where do you boat. I see you're from the same place. I do my boating in the Peconics. Thanks for the advice!

What kind of engine and year do you have?

Perconics!! I am LIE Exit 36 you are in next world.

Doug,
It's a 1998 260 Powerquest. It has a 454Mag carb motor. Ah yes, we like to refer to it as gods country out here I've had a few weird things happen with it in the last couple weeks, so I'm probably just paranoid. Now I don't take my eyes off the gauges

Instead of "charger" I should have written "regulator". Anyway if you have a 1998 it should have a built in regulator. They have been made build for many years.