voltage regulator burnt on my 1984 merc 488

[roffey]

So.. my voltage regulator burnt on my 1984 merc 488. I decided to replace the voltage regulator with a alternator. I bought a kit and have installed it and before I start the motor I want to run it by you guys first.

My motor has a power steering pump on it so I connected the alternator bracket to the block and have a belt running from the stator to the power steering pump and then on to the alternator. There are three wires from the alternator one red, one orange and one black. The red and orange wires connect together and are run to the fuse block on the starter motor. The black wire is connected to the coil. I have disconnected the old voltage regulator ,cut the wires running from the stator and will put marrets with rubber paint to seal the wires running from the stator.

Do you think this set up is correct? Not sure I can post pictures here.

 

[iand464]

Yes that is how it is set up on my 488. I pulled off the stator and my regulator has no more wires connected to it either. I know i threw out a orange wire from the starter to regulator. There is a lot of ac voltage comming off that stator its best to remove it before you have an unintentional welding project when or if they contact something My alternator mount bolts would come loose even with the lockwashers so i check them often. My coolant temps went down considerably after the conversion. I would be at 160 all the time but with the alt. I am around 140 almost all the time I only see 160 with heavy loads

 

[achris]

Without seeing pictures it is a little difficult. Use a hosting site and post the link here. (Like photobucket or such)... As for the alternator wiring, I would have though the black would go to ground, the red to ignition on, and the orange directly to the battery positive... But we need to know what alternator, and see some pictures....

 

[roffey]

Thanks for the quick and reassuring reply,LOL. How hard is it to take the stator off or just clipping the wires off will do?

 

[roffey]

I am at work right now and can't post pics, LOL. I will post some when I get home in the morning.

 

[achris]

Thanks for the quick and reassuring reply,LOL. How hard is it to take the stator off or just clipping the wires off will do?

If you leave the stator in place just make sure you insulate the ends securely...Do not tie them to ground, or each other...

 

[iand464]

I just went to look at mine. It has a plug with a red and black wire the a insulated post with a thicker wire. black wire to coil red goes into the thicker wire which connects to the battery side of starter solenoid. The alternator is grounded through the brackets. The black wire to the coil is a separate wire to excite the field in the alt. It doesnt matter that its not 12 v if you still have the resistor wire for the coil.

 

[iand464]

Taking the stator off is easy .... the harmonic balancer can be removed with a duckfoot puller and then put back on with a series of longer bolts the same thread as the balancer bolt and a lot of washers. Resist the temptation to hit with a hammer.

 

[achris]

Taking the stator off is easy .... the harmonic balancer can be removed with a duckfoot puller and then put back on with a series of longer bolts the same thread as the balancer bolt and a lot of washers. Resist the temptation to hit with a hammer.

If he has space to swing a spanner in there. Some boats are built around the engine, with little or no space to work... Whether he takes it off or leaves it on, will be up to him and his work area....

 

[roffey]

I just went to look at mine. It has a plug with a red and black wire the a insulated post with a thicker wire. black wire to coil red goes into the thicker wire which connects to the battery side of starter solenoid. The alternator is grounded through the brackets. The black wire to the coil is a separate wire to excite the field in the alt. It doesnt matter that its not 12 v if you still have the resistor wire for the coil.

Yup, thats how I connected it and it sounds like the same setup I have.

 

[roffey]

Taking the stator off is easy .... the harmonic balancer can be removed with a duckfoot puller and then put back on with a series of longer bolts the same thread as the balancer bolt and a lot of washers. Resist the temptation to hit with a hammer.

I have taken the dog house off so there is lots room. I might just clip the wires fron the stator and dip them in rubber paint.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

You can do that, but when I converted to a belt driven alt. I pulled mine off and sold it of something like 50 bucks on ebay. Put it back in the boat fund.