Seeking advice

rochepoint · Jun 6, 2015

Well went to go away for the weekend and the boat had a hiccup, can't remember the last time she let us down...... :nonono:

Started up the Perkins 6.354m and noticed the tach was not reading, then noticed the voltage was only showing the voltage that the batteries had and not charging. I am guessing the 30 year alternator has given up the ghost.

Wondering what you would do, new higher tech alternator or rebuild?

RT Firefly · Jun 6, 2015

Greetings,
Mr. r. Just looked up the weather for Sidney. Warm and sunny. Sit on board and drink beer. In my case, root beer with a fishin' line over the side. Next best thing to cruising is being aboard.

CPseudonym · Jun 6, 2015

Rebuild

I'm notoriously cheap though and do not believe in upgrading something that works fine just for the sake of upgrading. If the new tech wiz bang gadget was so great you'd have at least been thinking about doing it before this one gave up the ghost.

FlyWright · Jun 6, 2015

First I'd remove and test at the local alternator shop. If it's bad, I'd rebuild with modifications to up the output, if needed. It shouldn't cost much. Then if you find the need to upgrade at a later date, you'll have a good spare.

Forkliftt · Jun 6, 2015

I agree. Drink beer... Then have the unit rebuilt.

1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

Capt.Bill11 · Jun 6, 2015

First make sure it's not a loose/broken wire on something else simple before you pull it.

FlyWright · Jun 6, 2015

Capt.Bill11 said:
First make sure it's not a loose/broken wire on something else simple before you pull it.

Good point. My OEM alternator on the port side has a couple of slide-on spade connectors. One fell off after bumping against it during some routine engine maintenance.

RT Firefly · Jun 6, 2015

Greetings,
Mr. r. Re-read post #2 and worry about it on Monday....It's all good.

rochepoint · Jun 6, 2015

RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Mr. r. Just looked up the weather for Sidney. Warm and sunny. Sit on board and drink beer. In my case, root beer with a fishin' line over the side. Next best thing to cruising is being aboard.

Mr. RTF
That wouldn't be Specher Root beer would it?

Yes we had a R&C, enjoyed the sun and warm weather. Then took the 2 minute drive home. Tomorrow I will pull it off and have it tested.

I have been thinking of an upgrade for years but now maybe just a rebuild as it has never been a problem, besides it gives me an excuse to run the genset every now and then.
Thanks.....

RT Firefly · Jun 6, 2015

Greetings,
Mr, r. Nope not Sprecher. Plain old sassafras.

FF · Jun 7, 2015

IF it worked fine for 30 years , a rebuild would seem the answer.

rochepoint · Jun 7, 2015

Capt.Bill11 said:
First make sure it's not a loose/broken wire on something else simple before you pull it.

Went to the boat today to check the output with a meter and found a small broken single strand wire at the plug for the alternator. Replace the entire wire from the plug to the oil pressure switch and everything is working.

Why would Perkins use such a small single strand wire at the plug when the other two wires in it are multi stand, is it used for a special reason?

High Wire · Jun 8, 2015

I replaced my 30 year old Perkins alternator (Delco) with an ARCO 60122 when the voltage regulator died this spring.
http://arcomarine.com/xhtml/Pages%2052-59%20Alternators.pdf
It was not an exact fit and required a few Grade 8 washers for correct spacing and pulley alignment. The output cable needed to be upgraded to #2 AWG. The tach sensor wire need to be changed to a #10 ring terminal.
On startup with the engine at 1000 rpm the measured output was 107 amps at a solid 14.3 volts.

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