Struck by Lightening, "Bud Lightnin' "

[buffbenj]

RESTORATION STORY STARTS ON POST #16...1987 Alpha one 3.0L trying to get it ready for the weekend, first time since purchase. Alot of renovation. Added fuel separator/filter. Starts on first try at idle, obviously with earmuffs on. Alternator seems to be charging, voltmeter increases from 13.1 to 15v with throttle to 1500rpm, but the alternator is smoking after a few min of running. Belt is tight, not slipping. Alternator is not original. There is a black wire and a purple wire which are capped off. Previous owner swears it was working last year. This is the first start since July 4, 2011. Certainly this cant be common. It is not newly painted, but I did use engine degreaser about a month ago to clean up the engine. Is it safe to take out on the lake?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

No it is not safe, because where there is smoke, there is fire (or soon to be fire). Fire in the engine compartment is a wicked bad thing.

It is important to fix the alternator problem if it is smoking.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

that would be the magic electrical smoke. once it starts escaping, that is BAD

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Pull the alternator and pull it apart (or have it done) and see whats going on in that thing. You don't want your boat on the water til you know that alternator is working properly and it is not a fire hazard.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

that would be the magic electrical smoke. once it starts escaping, that is BAD

Ayuh,.... Alternators don't like washin' anymore that little boys do, either....

If yer washin' the motor, ya gotta bag the Alt, Dist, 'n the oil vents....

 

[fmalott]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Ayuh,.... Alternators don't like washin' anymore that little boys do, either....

If yer washin' the motor, ya gotta bag the Alt, Dist, 'n the oil vents....

X2!

 

[jimh1626]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Smoking is just as bad for that engine as it is for you.

 

[mark1905]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Yup. Sounds like she's toast. A new one from DB Electrical is pretty reasonable.. $69 for new 105A model. http://www.dbelectrical.com/c-7743-mercruiser.aspx

Although.. looks like no boat for the weekend. Lesson learned to make sure she's weekend ready every Monday..

 

[buffbenj]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

OK, starter/alternator repair shop said lightning strike last July probably hit the alternator and it's putting out AC current. Sure enough, regulator is bad. Got a single wire replacement marine alternator for $85. Hope it works-should be a good Sunday! Thanx to all who replied.

 

[mark1905]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Nice work... but ready by Sunday?? That's a 15 minute job!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

OK, starter/alternator repair shop said lightning strike last July probably hit the alternator and ...

A lightning strike? Seriously? I cannot imagine lightning striking your boat and the only thing damaged is the regulator.

Glad you got it fixed... but lightning????

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

A lightning strike? Seriously? I cannot imagine lightning striking your boat and the only thing damaged is the regulator.

Glad you got it fixed... but lightning????

Ayuh,... I'd sooner think it's from gettin' it Wet, washin' the motor...

I ain't buyin' the Lightning strike either...

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Smoking is just as bad for that engine as it is for you.

[/B]Matter of opinion !![/B] At least the "you's let the smoke out !!

When alternators smoke and let the smoke out , they are hot enough to cook anything around them, includining fuel lines ,water hoses and wireing!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Once the Magic Blue Smoke gets out, the only way to fix it is to find and repair the leak,
then get a new can of Smoke and fill it back up.



Sorry, I waited a long time for that one, and just couldn't resist!

 

[buffbenj]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Wasnt the only casuality from lightnin. Starter solenoid & up trim solenoid both blew, ignition switch fuse holder cooked, 1/2" hole in bow hull, below waterline. Seriously, lightnin'-apparently when it struck, it threw a gal sitting in the bow into the water, and knocked 2 grown men down from console to the stern. Apparently he jammed a screwdriver into the fuseholder, jumped the starter solenoid, and limped it back in. It did run (still does!) As for the alternator, maybe I did get it too wet during pressure washing, but I was fairly careful...lessons learned-gotta wrap it. Refurbished, single wire alternator is gem dandy! $85. All in all, Sunday was a GREAT maiden voyage-and remember I got this boat & trailer for $300! And yes, the name graphics on transom are pending: "Bud Lightnin""

 

[buffbenj]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

So from the beginning, I saw this boat on a trailer in a neighbor's yard. '87 Corsair Sunbird. Now, I know from the forums that this was a low end manufacturer, but the 3L Alpha One caught my eye, so I gave $300 for it and started the restoration process.. I went "all in" for a really low budget restoration, taking his word that it runs. Got about 100 hours labor in it, and an additional grand.
So, I removed carpet and the 2 seats, and he had made a fishing deck across the bow. Of course, I pictured bikinis rather than minnows across my bow, so I excavated the deck as well. Removed all the badly faded Teak wood. Fortunately, there are NO soft spots on the floor. Then I attacked the 1/2 inch lightning exit hole at the bow, below the water line. Got my order list together submitted to iboats-really saved me $$. Took 4 layers of fiberglass patching and sanding, followed by epoxy paint.. Cleaned Teak with Gain and bleach with a brush, then about 5 coats of Teak oil, and it looks new again, yet not slick.

 

[buffbenj]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Pre-oil Drained the 20 gal gas tank, then put a small fan on the inlet for days at a time, to dry it out completely. installed a new fuel filter/separator at the transom, btwn tank and fuel pump. Started organizing the wiring. Up trim solenoid and starter solenoid replaced.. Up trim switch was also blown. It was in pieces, built in to the Quicksilver handle. I read where design was poor and twisting/fraying of these wires at the throttle was common, so I decided to move the new momentary toggle trim switch and the old trailer switch to a plate on the dash. Fabricated stainless steel plates for trim and one to replace the cracked plastic cover of the throttle handle, painted them white and black.

 

[buffbenj]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

I had the stainless left over from building a house, it was a stove vent cover. Used heck out of a Dremel, Jigsaw, and even circular saw with SS cutting blade. What about the throttle button, to rev in neutral? Well, it's broken and looks like I can get by without it.

 

[buffbenj]

Re: Alternator smoking

Re: Alternator smoking

Floor had alot of screw holes, so patched them with epoxy. And for some reason, Corsair made these gutters at the stern, that collected water along the carpet line and man did I have to scrub the algae. Seemed to me that you want ALL water to drain to the bilge, so I got a gallon of Bondo and filled in these nasty little gutters.

 

[buffbenj]

87 Sunbird

87 Sunbird

Likewise, there was a fiberglass ledge up at the bow, and smoothed a little incline ramp with my trusty Bondo, so no tripping on Bud Lightnin"! Actually, getting the nasty, wet carpet out from under that fiberglass frame was a real nightmare! Interior bumper cushions didnt color match, were faded, and had metal washers & screws holding them on. Removed all of that, but I did salvage the foam since it is expensive! Washed each piece in a bleach detergent solution to kill the mold spores & mildew, then put them in a confined space with a dehumidifier for about 2 weeks. They are dry as a bone! and clean, too. Bleach kills everything. Used the rotten plywood underneath as templates and cut 1/4" plywood, painted with exterior paint I had left over. Looked at a few thousand internet pictures and decided on my color coordination. Indoor outdoor carpet, UV treated, Home Depot, $43 for 7x12. I know, marine carpet is best, but I can replace this (with labor) 4 times over for the price difference. I'll take my chances. Had some leftover flooring adhesive on hand. It works.