Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[David via CnC-List]

Did the same Balmar setup 14 years ago with the Digital Duo for the start 
battery.   Had it rebuilt this year even though it may not have needed it.

Never looked back.



Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE smartphone


 Original message 
From: ALAN BERGEN via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Date: 8/13/17 11:32 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: C <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Cc: ALAN BERGEN <trya...@alumni.usc.edu>
Subject: Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

I replaced my original 35 amp alternator with a much larger capacity one.  
Defender had a sale on a Balmar alternator with an external regulator.  With so 
much more drain (refrigeration, computer, MFD, etc.) it was a no brainer to 
make the change.  My engine is a 3GMF (20 hp).

Alan Bergen
35 Mk III Thirsty
Rose City YC
Portland, OR

On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 3:09 AM, Matti Airas via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
Hi,

I just had a similar charging issue. The motor is a Yanmar 3gm30f. The 
alternator was not original. With Nigel Calder's "Boatowners Mechanical and 
Electrical Manual" (highly, highly recommended!) I was able to trace the issue 
to a faulty charging regulator. We weren't close to home at the time, so I had 
call in a boat electrician to have it replaced. He just replaced the old 
alternator with a little-used second-hand Hitachi one. Couldn't really be picky 
at that point.

As far as I understand, with ACRs, even any automotive charger from a car parts 
store would do, as long as it mechanically fits and the RPMs are in the correct 
ballpark. With your biggish house bank, you might want to get a slightly 
heftier alternator while at it.

Cheers,

Matti
C 36 "Hurma"
Helsinki, Finland


On 13 August 2017 at 06:38, Dave via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
Good evening all,

A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via the 
alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically, the 
(new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this is not 
sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new, group 31 @ 
130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.
Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?

Thanks!  Dave.

Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20



Sent from my iPad
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--
Alan Bergen
35 Mk III Thirsty
Rose City YC
Portland, OR
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Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[Frederick G Street via CnC-List]

> On Aug 13, 2017, at 11:27 PM, Peter Fell via CnC-List  
> wrote:
> 
> And take the opportunity of replacing alternator to make sure you have the 
> battery banks fused properly…


Hey, you mean I’m not the only one…?   :^)   Seems like I’ve taken crap for 
this in the past...

— Fred “Fuse It Properly"


Fred Street -- Minneapolis
S/V Oceanis (1979 C Landfall 38) -- Bayfield, WI___

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Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[Peter Fell via CnC-List]

Here's a good rundown on the Hitachi alternator, and the 'super-dumb'
regulator they utilize:

https://marinehowto.com/automotive-alternators-vs-deep-cycle-batteries/

You might want to consider changing your setup so that the alternator
charges directly to the house bank. Your house battery is going to have far
more potential to be deeply discharged than your start battery.  And take
the opportunity of replacing alternator to make sure you have the battery
banks fused properly, and consider doing so for your starter circuit as
well, and a disconnect switch mounted between alternator and battery bank.

On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 8:54 AM, Dave S via CnC-List 
wrote:

> Thanks matti and graham-
> Seems like a fairly routine failure, and it looks like I can order a
> replacement fairly inexpensively and then rebuild the existing as a spare.
>Any sort of upgrade seems to be of limited benefit.
> Added to my project list:  convenient test probe sockets for each bank to
> plug in a vom for troubleshooting purposes.
> Thanks
> Dave.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 13, 2017, at 6:09 AM, Matti Airas  wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I just had a similar charging issue. The motor is a Yanmar 3gm30f. The
> alternator was not original. With Nigel Calder's "Boatowners Mechanical and
> Electrical Manual" (highly, highly recommended!) I was able to trace the
> issue to a faulty charging regulator. We weren't close to home at the time,
> so I had call in a boat electrician to have it replaced. He just replaced
> the old alternator with a little-used second-hand Hitachi one. Couldn't
> really be picky at that point.
>
> As far as I understand, with ACRs, even any automotive charger from a car
> parts store would do, as long as it mechanically fits and the RPMs are in
> the correct ballpark. With your biggish house bank, you might want to get a
> slightly heftier alternator while at it.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matti
> C 36 "Hurma"
> Helsinki, Finland
>
>
> On 13 August 2017 at 06:38, Dave via CnC-List 
> wrote:
>
>> Good evening all,
>>
>> A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via
>> the alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically,
>> the (new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this
>> is not sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new,
>> group 31 @ 130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
>> I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.
>> Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?
>>
>> Thanks!  Dave.
>>
>> Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> ___
>>
>> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
>> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>>
>> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>>
>
>
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
>
___

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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[Dave S via CnC-List]

Thanks matti and graham-
Seems like a fairly routine failure, and it looks like I can order a 
replacement fairly inexpensively and then rebuild the existing as a spare.
Any sort of upgrade seems to be of limited benefit.
Added to my project list:  convenient test probe sockets for each bank to plug 
in a vom for troubleshooting purposes.
Thanks
Dave.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 13, 2017, at 6:09 AM, Matti Airas  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I just had a similar charging issue. The motor is a Yanmar 3gm30f. The 
> alternator was not original. With Nigel Calder's "Boatowners Mechanical and 
> Electrical Manual" (highly, highly recommended!) I was able to trace the 
> issue to a faulty charging regulator. We weren't close to home at the time, 
> so I had call in a boat electrician to have it replaced. He just replaced the 
> old alternator with a little-used second-hand Hitachi one. Couldn't really be 
> picky at that point.
> 
> As far as I understand, with ACRs, even any automotive charger from a car 
> parts store would do, as long as it mechanically fits and the RPMs are in the 
> correct ballpark. With your biggish house bank, you might want to get a 
> slightly heftier alternator while at it.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Matti
> C 36 "Hurma"
> Helsinki, Finland
> 
> 
>> On 13 August 2017 at 06:38, Dave via CnC-List  wrote:
>> Good evening all,
>> 
>> A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via the 
>> alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically, the 
>> (new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this is 
>> not sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new, group 
>> 31 @ 130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
>> I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.
>> Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?
>> 
>> Thanks!  Dave.
>> 
>> Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> ___
>> 
>> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish 
>> to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>> 
>> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
> 
___

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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
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Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[ALAN BERGEN via CnC-List]

I replaced my original 35 amp alternator with a much larger capacity one.
Defender had a sale on a Balmar alternator with an external regulator.
With so much more drain (refrigeration, computer, MFD, etc.) it was a no
brainer to make the change.  My engine is a 3GMF (20 hp).

Alan Bergen
35 Mk III Thirsty
Rose City YC
Portland, OR

On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 3:09 AM, Matti Airas via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just had a similar charging issue. The motor is a Yanmar 3gm30f. The
> alternator was not original. With Nigel Calder's "Boatowners Mechanical and
> Electrical Manual" (highly, highly recommended!) I was able to trace the
> issue to a faulty charging regulator. We weren't close to home at the time,
> so I had call in a boat electrician to have it replaced. He just replaced
> the old alternator with a little-used second-hand Hitachi one. Couldn't
> really be picky at that point.
>
> As far as I understand, with ACRs, even any automotive charger from a car
> parts store would do, as long as it mechanically fits and the RPMs are in
> the correct ballpark. With your biggish house bank, you might want to get a
> slightly heftier alternator while at it.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matti
> C 36 "Hurma"
> Helsinki, Finland
>
>
> On 13 August 2017 at 06:38, Dave via CnC-List 
> wrote:
>
>> Good evening all,
>>
>> A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via
>> the alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically,
>> the (new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this
>> is not sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new,
>> group 31 @ 130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
>> I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.
>> Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?
>>
>> Thanks!  Dave.
>>
>> Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> ___
>>
>> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
>> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>> 
>>
>> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>>
>
>
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.
> paypal.me_stumurray=DwICAg=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN
> 0H8p7CSfnc_gI=9w3G7Cf8YfQnrjmtuNxwDJYr3JMv9f1pAfgAJ9xXYQQ=ejIS-
> UCaAaSoknaZUODawImRE-y2-L_jdeVgiF7MF_E=tJQNZm6Vig-
> vkkbEeXNwkaLm1IyIRjhW7bpNdc23dEk=
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
>


-- 
Alan Bergen
35 Mk III Thirsty
Rose City YC
Portland, OR
___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[G Collins via CnC-List]

Take the alternator to a battery / alternator shop and get it tested, 
they can probably fix it.  Had to do that on my previous boat, volvo engine.

Graham Collins
Secret Plans
C 35-III #11

On 2017-08-13 12:38 AM, Dave via CnC-List wrote:
> Good evening all,
>
> A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via the 
> alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically, the 
> (new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this is not 
> sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new, group 31 @ 
> 130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
> I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.
> Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?
>
> Thanks!  Dave.
>
> Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish 
> to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
> .
>


___

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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
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Re: Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[Matti Airas via CnC-List]

Hi,

I just had a similar charging issue. The motor is a Yanmar 3gm30f. The
alternator was not original. With Nigel Calder's "Boatowners Mechanical and
Electrical Manual" (highly, highly recommended!) I was able to trace the
issue to a faulty charging regulator. We weren't close to home at the time,
so I had call in a boat electrician to have it replaced. He just replaced
the old alternator with a little-used second-hand Hitachi one. Couldn't
really be picky at that point.

As far as I understand, with ACRs, even any automotive charger from a car
parts store would do, as long as it mechanically fits and the RPMs are in
the correct ballpark. With your biggish house bank, you might want to get a
slightly heftier alternator while at it.

Cheers,

Matti
C 36 "Hurma"
Helsinki, Finland


On 13 August 2017 at 06:38, Dave via CnC-List  wrote:

> Good evening all,
>
> A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via
> the alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically,
> the (new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this
> is not sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new,
> group 31 @ 130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
> I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.
> Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?
>
> Thanks!  Dave.
>
> Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Stus-List Hitachi Alternator woes...

[Dave via CnC-List]

Good evening all,

A new one on me, my batteries no longer appear to be fully charging via the 
alternator, while they do fully charge via shore power.   Specifically, the 
(new) start battery sees only 12.56v while the engine is running, this is not 
sufficient to close the ACR, and the house bank (2 ea, also new, group 31 @ 
130a/h ea).  therefore receives no charge at all.   Surprise!
I believe this means the stock Hitachi 55a alternator is failing.   
Any thoughts on this and any recommendations on a replacement alternator?   

Thanks!  Dave.

Windstar, 33-2 with yanmar 2gm20



Sent from my iPad
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