Rewiring Alternator??

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xeddog

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
182
Hi everyone. I have a 1987 Beachcraft 215c with the 5.7L OMC Cobra. I have added a second battery and battery selector switch and it works fine. BUT! I have an alternator with the integrated regulator and therefore cannot switch batteries with the engine running (or ignition switch on???).

So I was wondering what it would take, or if it is even possible, to change to an external regulator so I can use a battery selector switch with field disconnect for seamless switching. Can it be done at a reasonable cost with good results?

Thanks,

Wayne
 
Bifflefan

Bifflefan

Commander
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
2,933
Re: Rewiring Alternator??

Your main issue is whether or not the switch is one that makes contact with both batts when switching.

Some when switching from batt 1 to batt 2, will break contact with 1 before making contact with 2.
Some keep the contacts so you never loose a battery in the system.
Which do you have? A Perko will not break contact when switching.

Have you had trouble with blowing the diodes or regulater in this?
 
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xeddog

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
182
Re: Rewiring Alternator??

Thanks for the reply.

The selector switch I have at the moment is the cheapie Perko that does not provide any hot switching capabilities, and diodes have been blown twice. Once back in about 1988 or 1989 when I did it before I knew better, and once more recently when I let my son use the boat and a friend of his switched them.

I have had the boat for over 20 years now, and this has not been a big issue, but there have been a couple of times when the "2" battery was drained and I would like to have been able to charge it while running. It was so drained (and I sure it was not in the best condition), that with the selector in the "1 & 2" position I was not able to get the engine started. I had to use "1" primary battery to start and , of course, was not able to switch.

I recently purchased a new selector switch that said I could hot-switch (alternator field disconnect), but there was a one line note at the bottom of the instructions that said it will not work with alternators that have integral regulators. Crap! I had to return it. Is there another type of switch that will work?

Wayne
 
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