Cleaning alternator

[JohnKorte]

Took the boat out today and 3hrs into the day I heard a squeak from the engine compartment. Turns out my lower unit oil reserve leaked from the cap or the rubber vent in the cap? I am not sure why. I filled to the full line with the unit down as explained. The oil dripped into the alternator and instead of 12 volts the gauge read 10. Thought I would take the alternator housing apart and clean it out with electric contact cleaner. Not sure what to expect when I take the housing apart.. Anyone been there?

 

[wired247]

What kind of motor do you have?

 

[JohnKorte]

Merc 3.0L Eng#OL31149

 

[JohnKorte]

Sorry I noticed I posted in the wrong category. I will repost in the right one

 

[sam am I]

Assuming an I/O w something similar to below, and yup, used to rebuild them by the hundreds many many years ago.......Slip Rings and Brushes probably just got too much oil on um and oil makes for a good dielectric. Sounds like you have no field current in the rotor winding

I would just run it for a tad longer and it should start working as before as the oil is just acting as a insulator and should just dissipate off w a lil more run time.

But if you end up(or still want) taking it apart, this might help......FYI, there is a small hole bored through the brush holder that you'll slide a small pick or straighten paper clip through and in front of the brushes to hold the brushes in place during re-assembly as they will "spring out"...GL

 

[JohnKorte]

Thanks

 

[sam am I]

Np..