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  #26   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 08-06-2021, 07:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2dogsnight View Post
12.2 V
12.2 V
12.8 V
12.7 V
Your battery is about 1/4 charged, a full battery would be 12.6 at rest.
Your generator is working, the issue seems to be the voltage is too low. You want to see about 1 more volt, say 13.8 to 14.4 or so.

My first guess is the voltage regulator needs adjustment. Those old regulators can be adjusted and also you can check the relay contacts in there and see if they need cleaning.
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Old 08-06-2021, 07:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
In that case scrap the nostalgia and get an alternator. To keep the installation as simple as possible I recommend a Delco 10Si single wire, self excite. Put it on the engine, connect one battery cable to the output and you're done with it.

Well, almost done with it. Check the output voltage. These days higher outputs in the range of 14.7 to near 15 volts are increasingly popular but can wreak havoc with our ignition systems. The 10Si has an internal fixed point regulator that can be changed to something a little tamer, like around 14.2V. Changing the regulator is not difficult in experienced hands. Inexperienced hands however . . . .

Pick your battles
Can that be done? The mounts on that cylinder head look different than a modern one.
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Old 08-06-2021, 07:21 AM
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From: http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/83.cfm

Because they are mechanical, voltage regulators are easy to troubleshoot. If you study the function of each of the three parts and how they interrelate, it becomes obvious which part is malfunctioning, depending upon symptoms. That means anyone who understands how everything works can easily troubleshoot problems. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the point gaps and spring pressures determine the voltage/current limits and they are exceedingly hard to adjust. Sometimes it can be done on the car using a voltmeter, but generally it is best to replace the entire regulator assembly when a certain part of it fails. Factory assembly of regulators required relatively sophisticated measurement instruments. Adjusting them by "feel" is a matter of luck, and frequently can result in damage.

Overall, the good news is that regulators are inexpensive and relatively easy to find. Replacement is always a good idea.


>>>
I am not sure they are STILL easy to find. There seems to be a point gap you can *slowly* adjust for the voltage regulation, I would assume less gap = more voltage.
It did occur to me none of that old stuff looks remotely like it is ignition-protected

Last edited by joe_db; 08-06-2021 at 07:41 AM.
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Old 08-06-2021, 11:19 AM
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Good info Joe, thank you.
Here is regulator on my generator. I did open it and cleaned points. They were pretty clean. I don't see any way to adjust it......?
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Old 08-06-2021, 11:33 AM
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There is a way in there somewhere.
The regulator has a part number too, if you can find it you can get another one or look up the adjustment procedures.
* NOS (new old stock) regulators seem to be about $40 and I bet NAPA has a new equivalent too.

Another thing to try is full-fielding the generator to make sure it can put out more than 12.8 volts, thus proving the regulator is the issue.

Last edited by joe_db; 08-06-2021 at 11:36 AM.
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Old 08-06-2021, 12:14 PM
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Going to the boat in an hour, will check for part number
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  #32   IP: 104.174.83.118
Old 08-06-2021, 06:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_db View Post
Can that be done? The mounts on that cylinder head look different than a modern one.
Nothing that a late model lifting eye bracket won't solve.
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Old 08-06-2021, 08:15 PM
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I started with the 35A Motorola, modified that to add an AutoMac external regulator (better), then went to a Delco 60A single wire - which wasn't to my liking until I removed the internal regulator and added a Balmar ARS4 external regulator.
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Old 08-06-2021, 10:10 PM
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My biggest issue with the old generator and regulator both is they seem to be totally unshielded spark creators. Not good in a gasoline boat
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Old 08-07-2021, 03:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_db View Post
There is a way in there somewhere.
The regulator has a part number too, if you can find it you can get another one or look up the adjustment procedures.
* NOS (new old stock) regulators seem to be about $40 and I bet NAPA has a new equivalent too.

Another thing to try is full-fielding the generator to make sure it can put out more than 12.8 volts, thus proving the regulator is the issue.
No part number or a way to do any adjustments.
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Old 08-07-2021, 03:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2dogsnight View Post
No part number or a way to do any adjustments.
Is that the voltage regulator relay or the cut-out? There should be 2 relays in there. The VR relay will have one wire going to the field connection. What is should do if you have an N-field generator, which they mostly are, is connect the field to ground. There should be a resistor too that connects the field to ground, so it varies between field>resistor>ground and field>ground.
Also when running the cutout just stays close and the voltage regulator should be engaging and disengaging, perhaps very fast,to hold the setpoint.
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Old 08-09-2021, 10:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_db View Post
Is that the voltage regulator relay or the cut-out? There should be 2 relays in there. The VR relay will have one wire going to the field connection. What is should do if you have an N-field generator, which they mostly are, is connect the field to ground. There should be a resistor too that connects the field to ground, so it varies between field>resistor>ground and field>ground.
Also when running the cutout just stays close and the voltage regulator should be engaging and disengaging, perhaps very fast,to hold the setpoint.
I am guessing this is a regulator, there is nothing else
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Old 08-10-2021, 10:32 AM
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Very odd, I would expect one cut-out and one voltage regulator relay in there.
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Old 08-10-2021, 11:12 AM
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Smile

Glad that you're not giving up yet
Upper red wire goes to starter solenoid, the other one don't know yet. Going to the boat soon
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Old 08-10-2021, 10:43 PM
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Cleaned "points" in regulator again and charge was 12.8V with running motor
Checked battery with voltmeter, was 12.3V no running motor
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Old 08-10-2021, 10:55 PM
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I'm at a loss to understand why, in light of the following:
Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_db View Post
My biggest issue with the old generator and regulator both is they seem to be totally unshielded spark creators. Not good in a gasoline boat
the ensuing posts continue encouragement.
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Old 08-11-2021, 12:23 AM
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2dogs,
So nice to see you have continued to use this boat after the extensive rebuild...glad to see you are continuing with other upgrades! Awesome!!!
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Last edited by sastanley; 08-11-2021 at 12:25 AM.
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  #43   IP: 24.113.14.223
Old 08-11-2021, 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by sastanley View Post
2dogs,
So nice to see you have continued to use this boat after the extensive rebuild...glad to see you are continuing with other upgrades! Awesome!!!
thank you Shawn!
here is a little video showing my boat - except for repacking shaft part

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCMi8YxSehI
I hope you can see it

Last edited by 2dogsnight; 08-11-2021 at 04:49 PM.
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Old 08-11-2021, 07:26 PM
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My day is better for having seen that.
Thanks, Tom
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  #45   IP: 67.243.79.21
Old 08-11-2021, 09:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2dogsnight View Post
Cleaned "points" in regulator again and charge was 12.8V with running motor
Checked battery with voltmeter, was 12.3V no running motor
That appears to be the cutout, which prevents the generator from becoming a motor. It is the mechanical equivalent of a diode. So right now we have no idea how the generator is regulated
Can you find the field connection and see what it is connected to? I am very curious what regulates this thing!
I'll repeat that whole thing looks like a spark factory!


* I flew a plane once with a starter-generator. It did not have a cutout per se, starting the engine fed it with the battery and then when the engine got going the starter became a generator and charged the battery.
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Old 08-11-2021, 10:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2dogsnight View Post
thank you Shawn!
here is a little video showing my boat - except for repacking shaft part

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCMi8YxSehI
I hope you can see it
Yes...I can see it. This is so awesome. Get a video of it running some day!!!

Does anyone on the forum have a 12V 35A motorola we can send to 2Dogs ?? Would this solve his problem ?
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  #47   IP: 24.113.14.223
Old 08-11-2021, 11:05 PM
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What is "field connection" ....can't figure it out
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Old 08-12-2021, 10:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sastanley View Post
Yes...I can see it. This is so awesome. Get a video of it running some day!!!

Does anyone on the forum have a 12V 35A motorola we can send to 2Dogs ?? Would this solve his problem ?
I am slowly learning to use simple editing skills and will make video of my Atomic soon.
I can buy an suitable alternator. Can someone send me a link to one that will work for my motor? I did look at lots of them so far and don't know what will fit my motor. One wire alternator sound simple.......price wise $250- is way too expensive, $60- ish is doable.
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Old 08-12-2021, 10:50 AM
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The generator should have two connections - armature and field. The armature is the main DC output and should be connected to that big relay. The field is what regulates the output. Depending on the generator, the field wire may be feed from the positive side or connected to ground through the regulator.
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Old 08-12-2021, 11:48 PM
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alternator shop give me a broken alternator that looks similar to Delco 10 SI single wire that Joe was recommending earlier. First challenge is position of pulley that is off around 1" compared to original generator.
I think generator is powering raw water pump in my motor...!!!??.....no, can't be
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Last edited by 2dogsnight; 08-13-2021 at 12:19 AM.
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