3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

[ecupir8]

Well I finished my alternator conversion today. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I used a marine 100 amp one wire alternator, built a mounting bracket, got longer bolts for the bracket, relocated the coil, and wired it up.

I have pics in the link as well as detailed descriptions...http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectThumbs,p,347,00.html

 

[andy1canada]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Howdy!

Awesome job!

I've seen these conversion kits listed on ebay for about $400/US. You saved yourself a bundle.

Incidentally, if you don't know about it already, there's a forum on the web called 'Breezeworks' that's chaulk-full of '470' owners like yourself. I'm sure there's a 'whack' of guy's on there who'd like to see the job you did.

Good luck with your killer four-banger!

Cheers,
Terry

 

[jasiffe]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Ecupir8,

Used your example and installed a 100 amp marine alternator (purchased new on line for $69). Bought an upper bracket from Auto Zone for $13 and made the lower bracket from 3/8" steel stock hacksaw cut in three straight lengths, then drilled & rounded with an ordinary shop grinder. Used washers for appropriate depth spacing. Measured the belt length & purchased at Auto Zone for about $8. No special tools required. The unit charges beautifully, and total price around $100. I recommend this to anyone considering buying the $500 kit. My dog house had to shift about 1" to the left to allow for side clearance, but I do not have seats there so it did not make any difference for me.

 

[volcomstone550]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

you should scan the brackets you made to scale so we can all have the design and simply print it out

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

I would like to see your bracket or draw it on paper. I just hate to pay $200-500 for a bracket when the alternator costs $200.00.

I just took out the magnets and stator and need a kit.

Do you know where I can a used bracket?

Todd

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Don't expect an answer from this year old thread. Here is the info on the original poster.

ecupir8 Last Activity: June 12th, 2007 05:50 PM

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Don, thanks for the links. I see that I can buy the kit (less the alternator) for $157.00 and then get the alternator local for $200.00 and install my self. I found install instructions too. Now I have to pay the marina for a new head gasket.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Don, thanks for the links.

But I didn't post any links

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Don, ok.
Thanks for the guiding me to the old threads. I found info from there.

 

[telstar1]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Did you remove the old magnets from the pulley on your unit?I did a similaR CONVERSION AND AM NOW WONDERING WHETHER THOSE MAGNETS WERE NEEDED FOR THEIR WEIGHT IN THE PULLEY which is also the vibration damper I think??

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

The local marina went to mercrusier and asked that question. The magnets do not need to be there if you go to an OEM alternator kit. I found the kit for my 470 mercruiser for $299 at http://www.breezeworks.net/

 

[Excalibur]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Performed this conversion on an 89 Thompson Carrera 200 with a 3.7 last season using the kit from Wagner (WAGDC60). Very tight fit involving cutting the deck and moving the engine cover forward and installing a 2 inch upolstered spacer behind the seats. Have lots of tips & pics if anyone is interested.

 

[fiber]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Excalibur,
Very odd that I happened upon this thread. My Voltage Reg just went out on me and was looking for a better way than bitting the bullet and ordering one from Merc. Any pictures or tips would be of great help to me as I am planning on tackling it this next weekend. Thanks in advance...

 

[a1nowell]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80


Fiber,
You did not mention whether you have made the alternator conversion. If you have , I have been told if you go to a 3 wire alternator you can bypass the regulator completely.

Can anyone confirm this?

I haven't made the conversion yet but probably will soon, old altenator only putting out about 12.5 volts.

Larry

 

[abj87]

Re: 3.7 mercruiser, homebrew alternator conversion, $80

Fiber,
You did not mention whether you have made the alternator conversion. If you have , I have been told if you go to a 3 wire alternator you can bypass the regulator completely.

Can anyone confirm this?

I haven't made the conversion yet but probably will soon, old altenator only putting out about 12.5 volts.

Larry

Both one wire and three wire dont use the factory regulator