Generator/Regulator Noise??

[giantfan]

Hey gang,

Posted here a few months back with some carb rebuild questions on my 65 Johnson 40 hp and 62 Crestliner which helped immensely and was a success!

Had the boat out on the water today and experienced some issues.

Trip began fine with ampmeter reporting a good postive charge once I had my RPM's up and throttle about 1/2 open. However, shortly into the trip the meter read zero (to a slight negative) and there was a clicking/ticking sound that came from the junction box at the rear of the boat.

The tick tick tick increased or decreased in frequency with throttle adjustment. Disappeared at slow idle, but any type of forward throttle produced the tick tick tick (wife asked if some had planted a bomb on the boat lol). I listened close and it definitely was not the motor, but instead inside of the junction box. I had a peak inside, and on the removable cover was what I assume is a regulator with ARM FLD and BAT leads going in.

So I guess I'm trying to figure out what to do next. Is this an alternator/generator side issue, or a regulator failure. And if it's a regulator failure, can I even find these parts still? I've taken a pic of both the generator and regulator components that are listed as 'Prestolite'.


Thanks guys. Appreciate and suggestions/troubleshooting. In the meantime I'll run with a spare fully charged batt on board to ensure restarts (the rip cord is a beeyotch to try and tank on this ole gal).

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Generator/Regulator Noise??

The regulator is still available. 380250 replaced by 381538. No real aftermarket ones available.
I have the troubleshooting stuff in my manual, but Frank (F_R) probably knows off of the top of his head.

 

[giantfan]

Re: Generator/Regulator Noise??

Thanks tx1961whaler, I appreciate the quick response.

Also looking to understand if this is a regulator failure, or an generator side problem. I've been unable to find any other threads here discussing noises from the regulator. Like could this be an issue with the charge coming from the generator causing this sound, or is it definitely a regulator end issue. Funny that this thing that looks like an original 1965 part would decide to just up an fail today and want to make sure I don't pooch a replacement


Thanks again! You guys are always awesome at sharing your knowledge.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Generator/Regulator Noise??

Check the 4 amp and 20 amp fuses in the junction box first

 

[giantfan]

Re: Generator/Regulator Noise??

Thanks tx1961whaler,

Yep, checked those two babies and they both looked good and intact.

 

[F_R]

Re: Generator/Regulator Noise??

Sorry, I've never heard of one ticking. That's a new one on me. There is a cut-out relay inside that opens at idle speeds, and closes at speed sufficient to charge the battery. But it shouldn't be clicking on and off. And I don't know if you could hear it anyway. The other two relays inside vibrate on and off very fast but you shouldn't be able to hear them for sure.

I kind of suspect it is the cut-out. What's causing it to cycle on and off is a good question.

Be careful messing with it, it can go up in smoke if you do the wrong move. Don't ask how I know. Yes, they are available and $$$$, and no you can't use a car regulator.

 

[boobie]

Re: Generator/Regulator Noise??

You could have a generator that is causing the prob. When the generator stops charging, as in shutting off the mtr, the cut out relay opens up. Just a wild guess.