chrysler26
New member
"I have a recently acquired md
"I have a recently acquired md5a- equipped Chrysler 26. It has a 66 amp Delco 3 wire alt. The problem is it won't start with the alternator belt on. When I re-wired the boat 4 mos. ago I wired a relay in to isolate the field wire to eliminate parasitic drag from the alternator while cranking. At the time it worked fine but now when I want to use it it won't start with the belt on! Even removing the relay to isolate the field wire won't allow it to start. I'm guessing the alt. is producing power even though the field wire isn't connected. I did manage to start it with a very loose belt and then tensioned it with the engine running- something that could easily cost me some flesh! Any thoughts? Maybe the starter motor is marginal, but that doesn't explain the loading from the alt."
"I have a recently acquired md5a- equipped Chrysler 26. It has a 66 amp Delco 3 wire alt. The problem is it won't start with the alternator belt on. When I re-wired the boat 4 mos. ago I wired a relay in to isolate the field wire to eliminate parasitic drag from the alternator while cranking. At the time it worked fine but now when I want to use it it won't start with the belt on! Even removing the relay to isolate the field wire won't allow it to start. I'm guessing the alt. is producing power even though the field wire isn't connected. I did manage to start it with a very loose belt and then tensioned it with the engine running- something that could easily cost me some flesh! Any thoughts? Maybe the starter motor is marginal, but that doesn't explain the loading from the alt."