Hot Coil and High Alternator Output

[hanleyclifford]

Looking at the potentiometer (spelling?) it seems that the adjuster could be turned down (counterclockwise) a bit more. Why not give it a shot? Nothing to lose...but do not force it beyond it's (very delicate) stop.

[Triton106]

Triton-
Do you want my old 35 Motorola?
It was working fine when I changed it out last year for the 55.

Yours if you want it. Just pay the shipping.

Jerry, that would be great! My electrical load is very low so a 35A is more than sufficient. I appreciate your generousity. I will PM you with my address. Just let me know the shipping cost.

[Triton106]

Looking at the potentiometer (spelling?) it seems that the adjuster could be turned down (counterclockwise) a bit more. Why not give it a shot? Nothing to lose...but do not force it beyond it's (very delicate) stop.

Hanley, sharp eyes. I did not realize that blue thing is the voltage adjuster. To be honest I have never tested the alternator output before since it always worked. For all I know the high output problem could have been there for a long time. Like you said, nothing to lose. I will give that a go.

[roadnsky]

Jerry, that would be great! My electrical load is very low so a 35A is more than sufficient. I appreciate your generousity. I will PM you with my address. Just let me know the shipping cost.

Ok. It'll be good to know it's got a good home.
Now you can take your time fixing the other one.
PM me and I'll get it out to you next week...

[sastanley]

Triton, if you trash that alternator, I'll buy the regulator!!

[Triton106]

Triton, if you trash that alternator, I'll buy the regulator!!

Shawn, I don't if it is the alternator or the regulator that is at fault. It may well be the regulator.

[hanleyclifford]

I'm afraid you are going to have to put aside that info from the alternator shop. Most of these shops just have an electric motor hooked up to an adjustable belt and bracket rig and they run it up to 2000 rpm or so and read the output on an ammeter. Most do not read voltage. If you just bypass your regulator with a direct connection from alternator output to field and watch your boat ammeter you can tell if it is the alternator or regulator that is the problem. Do this for only a few seconds as the alternator will be putting out maximum amps (that the battery will accept) at the maximum voltage the alternator is capable of at that rpm and charging rate. You are your own best diagnostician.

[sastanley]

diagnostician.

Hanley - you get the award for $0.50 word of the day.

[Triton106]

Well, what began as an interesting hunt is becoming a frustrating ordeal.

I tried adjusting the potentiometer as suggested by Hanley but could only lower the ouput by less than 0.4v (from 17.4v to about 17.0, end-to-end). I am not even sure if that difference came from different engine idle speed or the result of the potentiometer adjustment.

I then re-examined and re-did some of the wiring to make sure there were no bad or corroded connections. That did not work either.

At this point, I am at the end of my wits and just going to wait for Jerry's old alternator (thanks Jerry!) before my alternator drive me crazy! It's not worth it...

[hanleyclifford]

Sometimes the high tech stuff drives me crazy too (short trip). Found this for $25. Old fashioned contact style, adjustable (but sensitive), works great.

[roadnsky]

At this point, I am at the end of my wits and just going to wait for Jerry's old alternator (thanks Jerry!) before my alternator drive me crazy! It's not worth it...

Ray-
Got home late last night and looked in the garage to make sure I still have the promised ALT. It's there. (whew!)
I had to leave this morning on another trip, but will be home Wednesday and it'll be on the way. Hang in there...

[Triton106]

Ray-
Got home late last night and looked in the garage to make sure I still have the promised ALT. It's there. (whew!)
I had to leave this morning on another trip, but will be home Wednesday and it'll be on the way. Hang in there...

Thanks Jerry . In truth, I debated if I should take a chance and go sailing today because the engine will still run with alternator putting out 17v. Clearly it is not good for the coil, the electrical ignition, and the battery. I quite recklessly motored out because the wind was good, praying that the alternator will not fry something again . Luckly for me nothing that dramatic happened.

[Triton106]

Triton, if you trash that alternator, I'll buy the regulator!!

Shawn, you can have my defective alternator/regulator when I receive Jerry's unit and see if you can salvage it

[jpian0923]

Triton, I don't know what kind of charging system you have but if you have solar (like i have for one battery) you can probably run on just the battery for quite a while. Disconnect the alternator if the high amps/voltage to your coil is your concern.

This might be my stupidest post ever but , if you gotta be on the boat and get it out to good sailing grounds, this might not be the worst idea ever.

Anybody?

[Triton106]

Thanks Jim, I don't think my decision to use the engine was rational and would not try to defend that. That said if the engine did fail on me I would be able to sail back without having to call for tow since I mentioned the wind was quite good (10-15 knots).

I do have a small solar panel trickle charger but yesterday was overcast so I knew I could not depend on it.