confused how charging system works

[lquested]

howdy all, i just bought a 1985 celebrity calais 18' br w/and i/o mercruiser 4cyl (3.7? ) 190hp engine.i took out today and it starts right up the first few times then seems like battery looses alittle charge or starter dragging ..volt meter when running is showing 13volts so i assume its charging i thought i should put on the charger and i noticed there is no alternator.. only 1 belt going around crank pulley up to power steering.. is this right or am i missing something here.... thanks for any help..
lee

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: confused how charging system works

Confused,

You are not missing any thing. I am going through a similar process. You do not have an alternator. You have a stator system and a water-cooled voltage regulator.
I am currently trying to find a good alternator kit to replace the stator magnets and water-cooled voltage regulator that I have on my mercrusier 470.

Conversion kits range from $150 for the kit and no alternator to $800 for the completed kit. I have not found a cheap kit yet. The alternator should be explosion proof so it will not blow up your doghouse if there are fumes or a gas leak. The local marina in Mound, MN will sell the alternator for $250. I think I can find it cheaper on-line. Then I will buy the mounting bracket.

When I placed my digital voltmeter on the + and - terminals on the battery when the boat was running, I only had 11.5 volts. I overheated and had to replace my head gasket, so I had the shop take out the magnets and stator.

I do not know what your current problem is with 13 volts and slow starting, but I would look into replacing with the alternator kit. If you have 13 volts then your stator is working. The battery could not be taking a charge or the water-cooled voltage regulator is not working.