Boat electrics - advice please

P

PhilT

Well-known member
Took Seapride out today. Cruising along, everything going well.
Suddenly fishfinder alarms - high battery voltage; boat voltmeter confirmed reading off scale.

Returned home at low revs with all electrics off. Noticable that indicated voltage increased with engine reves, to >18v at about 1500.

I\'m thinking that the voltage regulator has failed. Am I right?

Is this likely to be in the back end of the alternator like in a car? I can\'t see anything else nearby which could be it.

If so, then I need to remove the alternator and have it replaced or refurbished, I assume.

In which case, does anyone have any tips for removing seized bolts that I don\'t already know? The upper bolt seems immovable (I can rock the engine on its mounts without shifting it). I\'ve given it a good soak in WD40, and I\'ll return on Monday with a LONG bar and a blowlamp (which I\'m reluctant to use as there are burnable rubber components nearby). Access isn\'t brilliant.

[Edited on 15/4/2006 by PhilT]
 
This site might help Phil

http://www.canaljunction.com/boat/electric_problems.htm

If the WD40 doesn\'t work you could try plusgas
 
Aye Phil It`ll be the alternator ......... had same problem on last boat almost melted the battery (smelt a bit LOL )

I`m sure it`s fixable but much easier (peace of mind and all that just to replace the whole alternator - should be service exchange)

As for seized bolts ...... your already doing the right thing, soak it and walk away for a day or so (It`s not the soaking that helps it`s the calm down and re-think that usually sorts it) :) good luck mate
 
you can change the regulator with the alternator still in place it should be 2 bolts into the back where the wires go into (dissconect the battery)should be able to get a reg at lucas systems in the team vally
 
Thanks chaps.

Finally got the stuck bolt out after about 4 hours of trying today. It responded to my second-last method of freeing stuck fasteners, whacking it round with a hammer and cold chisel. The non-threaded part of the bolt had actually seized within the tubular part of the alternator bracket. Need a new bolt of course. Haven\'t these damn Italians heard of Copperease?

The alternator\'s a Valeo (Nanni diesel is either a marinised Kubota or MAN). I\'ll be trying my local auto electrical dealers for a refurb or exchange. Past experiences with these people who refurbish alternators & starter motors (back in my 4x4 days) have been v. good.
 
Phil there is a guy in hartlepool who refurbishes starter motors etc took my mates ford diesel starter motor to him and he had it appart and refurbished in 2 hours for about 20 quid - will try and get a number or address for you tomorrow.
Jason
 
Hope you get it sorted Phil, sounds like you\'ve got it sussed.

Was out Saturday aswell, choka block going through the lock :mad: just about squeezed us all in :D
 
Thanks, Jason, though I might have to try more locally. I used to live near Newark, I knew just the place there, similar kind of thing to your guy.

PS When my mother called and heard about he stuck bolt, she gave some advice - \"Have you tried swearing at it, dear?\"
 
Give us a shout mate if you can not manage to sort locally - if you come up at the weekend and not sorted and the guy is closed leave it with me and I can pop it in there for you.
Nice to see yer mam is as helpful as mine.
Regards
Jason
 
Thanks for the offer mate. I\'m awy this next weekend with the broomstick-and-bedsheet brigade in the Solent, but I\'ll let you know if I can\'t sort it before May Bank Holiday weekend.
 
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