RWilson2526
Master Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2007
- Messages
- 810
Ok, so I just purchased my first very used boat. '87 Wellcraft 180. 3.0 litre mercruiser, 181 cid, serial number B451218. Not paying attention one afternoon getting ready for its maiden voyage, I momentarily hook up the battery backwards long enough to generate some smoke at alternator and starter. Switched everything back and engine started fine. Used the boat once for a few hours on a lake with no problem on a Wednesday, on Sunday before heading out checked battery and it is completely dead and wont take a charge. Got a new battery. Ran all day Sunday no problems (no electronics at all, just a half dozen or so starts and bringing the drive up and down a handful of times.) Not feeling comfortable with the previously dead battery and recalling my battery blunder I started to research here on iboats.
With battery disconnected 12.5 volts across battery terminals
battery connected at idle : 12.3 volts
2000 rpm : 12.3 volts
Current alternator has a single stud with 1 orange wire coming off. A purple and black wire have been cut back from alternator and taped off. It currently make a slight rattling noise which stops if I push on the alternator.
I cannot find an amp rating or model number on the alternator other than SAE classification on back.
Questions:
Should I suspect the alternator is bad and replace it.
Is there anything else I should look for.
Can anyone recommend a replacement model alternator for this engine. I am assuming from what I have learned that it is a "1 wire" style and the more amps the merrier?
Any information would be appreciated.
Rob
With battery disconnected 12.5 volts across battery terminals
battery connected at idle : 12.3 volts
2000 rpm : 12.3 volts
Current alternator has a single stud with 1 orange wire coming off. A purple and black wire have been cut back from alternator and taped off. It currently make a slight rattling noise which stops if I push on the alternator.
I cannot find an amp rating or model number on the alternator other than SAE classification on back.
Questions:
Should I suspect the alternator is bad and replace it.
Is there anything else I should look for.
Can anyone recommend a replacement model alternator for this engine. I am assuming from what I have learned that it is a "1 wire" style and the more amps the merrier?
Any information would be appreciated.
Rob