#1
IP: 73.93.190.183
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Atomic 4 Alternator Failure
I have an Atomic 4 Alternator Failure with symptoms below:
-Engine starts and runs with no noticeable issues. -Engine runs until Battery 1 is dead. (3 to 3-1/2 hours) -Engine runs with combined 1+2 Battery it will run until both are dead. 7-1/2 hours. No measurable output from the Alternator (Less than 2 years old) The alternator was a Single Wire Internal regulated unit. Is there a fuse in the ignition/exciter circuit? What would cause this? rmeason |
#2
IP: 32.211.28.40
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Those single wire alternators are pretty simple. Connect them to the battery, spin them, they make current. So first questions is: what voltage do you measure at the alternator output? If same as the battery, the alternator isn't doing it's thing.
If you're confident in your abilities, you can dig into it yourself. Recommend you take it to an alternator shop and have it checked. The internal regulator may be fried. |
The Following User Says Thank You to Al Schober For This Useful Post: | ||
Sam (09-22-2021) |
#3
IP: 104.174.83.118
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I have a 105A Delco 10Si single wire alternator and have had it apart replacing the regulator (no reg failure, just taming down the output voltage) and adding an AC tap for the tachometer. There is no fuse or other overcurrent protection inside.
You do know:
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Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others |
#4
IP: 138.207.177.95
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Quote:
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The Following User Says Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post: | ||
Sam (09-22-2021) |
#5
IP: 73.93.190.183
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Alternator Follow Up.
Quote:
-Tested battery voltage before starting engine. (12.87 volts) -Started Engine -Throttle to 1000 RPM -Re Tested battery voltage at both battery terminal and on Alternator (12.87 volts) -After running for 30 minutes tested voltage (12.47 volts at both battery and alternator) Pulled the alternator and took it to auto zone. They put it on their machine and got a fail. I have a new alternator and want to make sure I don't damage it when installing. I cannot get any info on the actual voltage that should flow from the Exciter Wire to the positive coil? |
#6
IP: 138.207.177.95
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Quote:
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#7
IP: 73.93.190.183
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Alternator Follow Up Is the Exciter Wire Needed?
New 55 Amp Alternator Instructions: Single Output/Internal Regulation.
GENERAL: Your new API Alternator is internally regulated with a single output terminal, very similar to the original Motorola alternator used on the Atomic 4 for many years. There are only two terminals which you will need to understand to install your new alternator: The OUTPUT terminal, and the EXC terminal. OUTPUT TERMINAL: The output terminal is the terminal next to the letter B next to it on the housing. The output terminal should be connected to the battery bus in the very same way that your original Motorola was connected, usually by an orange 8 gauge wire that connects to the ammeter. If you do not have an ammeter, or the ammeter does not work, you can connect the output terminal of the API directly to the big battery cable on the starter solenoid. When connected in this fashion, you can monitor the alternator performance by installing a volt meter in the cockpit (in place of the ammeter) and simply connect the voltmeter to any reliable source of DC power, usually directly from the ignition switch. A volt meter does not need to be connected in series with the output of the alternator, so the heavy gauge wire that originally ran from the alternator to the ammeter, is unnecessary. EXC TERMINAL: "Connect the EXC terminal to the positive terminal of the coil using a 14 gauge wire so that the fields of the alternator will be excited when the ignition switch is turned on." MoyerMarineinc. PARTS Connecting your new 12v 55amp API alternator www.moyermarine.com • 717-766-877 |
The Following User Says Thank You to RMEASON For This Useful Post: | ||
TimBSmith (09-30-2021) |
#8
IP: 138.207.177.95
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Quote:
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#9
IP: 104.174.83.118
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Connecting a true single wire alternator as described may cause the engine to continue running when the key switch is turned off. I had an internal regulator replaced by a reputable shop and without asking they generously added an excite wire so the single wire alternator would jump to life without the initial RPM bump. The unintended consequence was the self excite circuitry inside the alternator energized the excite wire resulting in a 12V backfeed to the coil.
First time I tried it I couldn't shut the engine off, wound up pulling the choke. Connecting the excite wire to the solenoid R terminal (energized only while the starter was engaged) worked pretty well but later on I abandoned the redundant excite wire because it was totally unnecessary. It's not that hard to bump the RPM on start up.
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Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others Last edited by ndutton; 09-29-2021 at 09:58 AM. |
#10
IP: 138.207.177.95
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Quote:
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#11
IP: 73.93.190.183
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Alternator Follow Up.
Installed new API alternator and it works perfectly? Nothing different or changed. Must be gremlins?
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alternator, atomic 4, coil |
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