Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

[nola mike]

So finally got the boat in the water after another trying summerization. Rebuilt carb seems to have fixed my rich starts and stalling on acceleration. Noticed though that the battery isn't charging. I'm getting 18v (dc though, shouldn't it be ac?) at each of the yellow/red wires. Ammeter in series with the orange wire is giving no output. almost got through all the tests in the manual before noticing that they all ended with ? replace the regulator?. So, though I know the consensus is to do the alt conversion, I'm thinking about replacing the regulator for a couple of reasons:
The original lasted 26 years.
I like keeping things stock.
Alternator would add more parasitic drag.

I thought I saw a new aftermarket regulator for around $200; does anyone know about this?
If I can only find the $500, then I'll do the conversion.
I'm also still intrigued by using a ford regulator--that was kicked around here a coke of years ago, but the guy who claimed it worked disappeared.

 

[mark1905]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Battery power = DC. House power = AC. You have DC power.

You're getting 18v.. where? That doesn't sound right at all.

Put a meter directly on the charging post of the alternator and GND post of battery. Read the voltage. It should be around 14.5v with the engine around 1200-1500 rpm. Is it?

Should you need one, new aftermarket alternators are around $100 if not less.

 

[nola mike]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

This is on a 470 with the original charging system. The yellow/red wire is directly off the stator; at that point I would think the voltage is ac and gets rectified by the regulator.

 

[mark1905]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

What's the voltage level coming directly off of that charging post?

 

[nola mike]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

18V, like I said initially

 

[mark1905]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Gotcha. You said on the wires, not the charging post. I misunderstood and didn't realize what we're working on.

Check out this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=438744

EDIT: Which I noticed ironically that you had already posted in a couple years ago. Looks like the consensus is to just do the swap and get it over with..

 

[achris]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

So finally got the boat in the water after another trying summerization. Rebuilt carb seems to have fixed my rich starts and stalling on acceleration. Noticed though that the battery isn't charging. I'm getting 18v (dc though, shouldn't it be ac?) at each of the yellow/red wires.

That sounds about right. As for Ac vs DC, where are you reading, between the 2 wires from the stator or each wire to ground?

Ammeter in series with the orange wire is giving no output. almost got through all the tests in the manual before noticing that they all ended with ” replace the regulator”.

Correct conclusion.

So, though I know the consensus is to do the alt conversion, I'm thinking about replacing the regulator for a couple of reasons:
The original lasted 26 years.

True, but that doesn't mean it's the best.

I like keeping things stock.

Sorry, but that's just such archaic thinking.... Would you still use an abacus in stead of a calculator, or a computer?

Alternator would add more parasitic drag.

Incorrect.. The load applied by a new alternator will not be any more than the load from the original charging system.. In fact, it will be less, because the alternator will reduce it's load as the battery charges, the original system kept the same load and just dumped the excess as heat, hence a water cooled regulator....

I thought I saw a new aftermarket regulator for around $200; does anyone know about this?
If I can only find the $500, then I'll do the conversion.
I'm also still intrigued by using a ford regulator--that was kicked around here a coke of years ago, but the guy who claimed it worked disappeared.

Cheers,

Chris.......

 

[fmalott]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

This is on a 470 with the original charging system. The yellow/red wire is directly off the stator; at that point I would think the voltage is ac and gets rectified by the regulator.

DO the conversion it has been posted a thousand times when the old voltage regulator goes replace with alternator it's cheaper to do then replace voltage regulator

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

www.breezeworks.net, good kits at reasonable price.

Larry

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Feel your pain... Mine went south bout 6 or7 years ago and I went with a new voltage regulator. Only lasted a few seasons and it happened again. 2nd time around now it has a belt driven one. Sold the stator for a few $$ on ebay to put towards the cause. No regrets except probably should have done it the 1st time around.

You may have better luck with the replacement than I did.

I made my own brackets I copied from one for sale on ebay. picked up a chinese marine alt and got the belt length from some mechanics wire around the pulleys.

 

[nola mike]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

That sounds about right. As for Ac vs DC, where are you reading, between the 2 wires from the stator or each wire to ground?

Wire-->ground

Sorry, but that's just such archaic thinking.... Would you still use an abacus in stead of a calculator, or a computer?

Fair enough.

Incorrect.. The load applied by a new alternator will not be any more than the load from the original charging system.. In fact, it will be less, because the alternator will reduce it's load as the battery charges, the original system kept the same load and just dumped the excess as heat, hence a water cooled regulator....

Well, I wasn't planning on removing the old stator/magnets--not sure how time consuming it is to do. In which case my point is correct I think. But that's a reason to remove them I guess.

@ Eric: Do you have any pics/dimensions of your setup? Not sure that I'll have the time to DIY brackets before memorial day. Selling the stator is another reason to remove it...
And what determines whether I go with the high or low mount setup from breezeworks?

 

[achris]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Wire-->ground

That's why you're reading DC. You need to measure wire to wire.

Well, I wasn't planning on removing the old stator/magnets--not sure how time consuming it is to do. In which case my point is correct I think. But that's a reason to remove them I guess.

No, your thinking is still incorrect. With nothing connected to those wires (once you put an alternator on, just tape off the wires) there is no load on the windings, so no load on the engine.... All they are producing it potential... It's like a battery... Nothing connect means no load is put on the battery...

And if the magnets haven't come off, leave them there.... You could pull the balancer and remove the stator, but it's not completely necessary..

Chris.....

 

[nola mike]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

That's why you're reading DC. You need to measure wire to wire.



No, your thinking is still incorrect. With nothing connected to those wires (once you put an alternator on, just tape off the wires) there is no load on the windings, so no load on the engine.... All they are producing it potential... It's like a battery... Nothing connect means no load is put on the battery...

And if the magnets haven't come off, leave them there.... You could pull the balancer and remove the stator, but it's not completely necessary..

Chris.....

yup, you're right. forgot my high school physics...

 

[nola mike]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Just a quick update. Got everything installed today. Breezeworks kit fit nicely for the most part, took about 1.5 hours for the install. Was able to locate the expansion tank to the front of the head, which I think is pretty slick. Putting out 13-14.5v on the muffs. Hopefully my last repair of the summer, fishing/skiing/boating !

 

[achris]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Sorry Mike, not impressed.... It's not stock anymore....

Great job... Nice and neat

Chris........

 

[nola mike]

Re: Do I finally need an alternator conversion?

Happy to report that after about 75 miles since the conversion, all systems are go. Including a couple of slalom ski pulls. Just waiting for the other shoe to drop...