| Author |
Message |
    
ian harle
Visitor
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 06:04 am: | 
|
I have actually got my engine running pretty well. The carbs are rebuilt (Thanks for the pointers Aborn). Points are switched over to the pertronix. I even took the prop in to be polished and balanced. One thing I have been noticing is the volt reading on my depth sounder. The alternator seems to only put out 12.4 - 12.8 volts and that's running at speed. First queston...is this too low? The outboards I've ran previously would read 14 volts at speed. Another question...is the Sierra alternator a good replacement and is this the three wire model? My current unit has 3 wires and I don't want to make a change over.
Thanks in advance...the boats doing pretty well but I would like to get this voltage thing right. |
El Pescador
Senior Member
Username: el_pescador
Post Number: 2436
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 06:59 am: |
|
Ian, if you think the alternator is not charging the batteries, you may want to consider removing it and taking it to a shop to be tested. Also, a cheaper replacement for the original SEV Marchal, Valeo or Paris Rhone 3-wire alternator you have now would be this one or the Sierra 18-5970 :
http://www.mesmarine.com/3141m-d.html
I have installed single wire Delco alternators in my two previous VP packages and had no problems. |
Jon Aborn
Member
Username: jon_a
Post Number: 44
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 10:39 pm: |
|
Did you check voltage with a multimeter or are you just going by a console gauge? Put a good meter on it for an accurate read. You can get just the voltage regulator for about $75.00 and that's usually what goes. Take it to a shop for testing.
Jon |
El Pescador
Senior Member
Username: el_pescador
Post Number: 2442
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 11:16 pm: |
|
Sorry Jon, but the voltage regulators for SEV Marchals and other 3 wire alternators cost more than 75 bucks. |
ian harle
Visitor
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 01:11 am: |
|
I checked the outpout with the meter while running in the yard (this is with the probes on the battery)and the readings are the same as the dash electronics. The sounder and gps actually have a option of viewing the voltage on the screen. |
Jon Aborn
Member
Username: jon_a
Post Number: 45
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Friday, September 28, 2007 - 03:41 am: |
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Yankee Auto Electric in Hyannis, Mass replaced the voltage regulator in my SEV Marchals alternator for $93.45, including tax and labor. This is a good shop, knowledgable and honest.
Jon |
El Pescador
Senior Member
Username: el_pescador
Post Number: 2453
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, September 28, 2007 - 06:48 am: |
|
Jon, there is a good, knowledgeable and honest shop in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, where it did cost me $25 to get my SEV Marchal voltage regulator replaced. The difference is that they installed a "used but good' regulator, not a new one. I don't know whether yours is used or, if new, where they sourced it; but all the new regulators I have found for SEV Marchal (new) cost well over $100. |
Robj
Member
Username: robj
Post Number: 15
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, September 29, 2007 - 12:30 pm: |
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Why even bother with those 3 wire alternators?? I replaced mine with a Delco, single wire marine alternator for $120. They are much more common than Paris Rhone.
Have a great day,
Rob. |
El Pescador
Senior Member
Username: el_pescador
Post Number: 2462
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 09:51 am: |
|
The beauty of the Delco single wire alternators is that it is not difficult for a good alternator shop to marinize them if they are automotive. |
