Question about the Charge Pump

[loki]

Hi guys,
I built a Charge Pump to obtain bi-polar power for my Neutron build using the MAX1044 chip following the article from R.G. Keen.
However when i check with my DMM the positive is +9.16V straight from my power supply, while the negative voltage goes down at about -7.12V.
Is it normal? I read on the MAX1044 datasheet that there should be an output drop, but as much as 2 volts? Wouldn`t it affect the circuit??
Thanks 

[R.G.]

It's odd that it's that low. Generally these things are about a diode drop lower than the original, maybe -8.5V or so.

But I don't think it will affect circuit operation much if that's the only problem there. If there is some condition pulling a lot of current from the - supply, that may have an effect itself.

Charge pumps like the 7660 and 1044 can supply about 10ma.

The next post will be from someone saying that the LT1054 can do 80ma, if history is any indication.