MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

[STEVIE B]

I'M NEW AND JUST BOUGHT A MERCRUISER 170 I/O. THERE IS NO VISIBLE ALTERNATOR. SO I'M TOLD IT HAS A STATOR. WHERE IS IT? HOW DO I CHECK IT? THE BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE. IS THE STATOR THE PROBLEM ??? <br />THANKS FOR ANY HELP <br /><br />STEVE

 

[johnkc]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

stevie, the stator is located under what would normally be the harmonic balancer on the front of the crankshaft. as far as losing charge in the battery,put a amp meter in line with one of the battery cables and check for a draw on the battery. if there is a draw , remove the fuses for all the circuits on the dash one by one,checking the meter after each fuse you remove. if the draw is still there then remove the orange wire from either the starter or voltage regulater which ever is easiest, this disconnects power from the voltage reg.located port side under exhaust manifold.if the amp meter drops, the draw is at the reg. these regulaters are water cooled ,so if this engine has over heated at one point in time it could have caused damage to the reg.a bad stator usually won'tput a draw on a battery

 

[Trent]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

If the regulator or stator is bad on your engine, dont repair it!! They cost too much. Replace with the aftermarket kit for an external alternator. Cost about 350.00.<br /><br />This system gives trouble on the 470

 

[STEVIE B]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

OK, I FOUND OUT THE STATOR APPARENTLY ISN'T WORKING. I JUMPED THE BOAT TO GET IT STARTED, LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. RAN FINE. AS IT WAS RUNNING I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY + CABLE. ENGINE STOPPED ON A DIME. CURRENT ACROSS BATTERY TERMINALS WAS 10 VOLTS. CAN I PUT AN EXTERNAL ALTERNATOR ON THIS WITHOUT DAMAGING ANYTHING. SHOULD I DISCONNECT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR? NEED HELP THANKS

 

[lakensea]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

The kit will have complete instructions. However, you must have room for the alternator down low on the starboard side of engine (where your coolant overflow probably is now). It also protrudes out a few inches. You also must have clearance so you can drill the front pully to pin the new pulley to it. I have seen some boats that were built so tight the conversion could not be done.

 

[Trent]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

Just a thought..With todays electronics DO NOT disconnect the battery while running!! Outboards for shure! You will blow rectifiers and packs.

 

[clanton]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

I do not know if all of the 170 had power steering or not, but if your 170 doesnt, there is 3 threaded holes in front of the cylinder head that will hold a GM altnator,or use the KIT that Trent posted about, the kit is great if you have space.

 

[STEVIE B]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

THAT WO WOULD WORK GREAT THEN. I KNOW THERE ISN'T POWER STEERING ON IT. I WAS TOLD YOU COULD JUST RUN ONE WIRE TO THE BATTERY FROM THE NEWLY INSTALLED ALTERNATOR AND IT WOULD WORK? DOES THAT SEEM RIGHT? SEEMS TOO SIMPLE. I HOPE THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM. THE MOTOR COVER SEEMS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A ALTERNATOR AS WELL.

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

There is a one-wire type alternator. It has an internal regulator, and one wire to the battery is all it needs. I have seen these on automotive applications, and don't see why it couldn't be available in a marinized version.

 

[clanton]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

63 amp single wire marine delco alt at www.aftermarket.com 140.00 US plus shipping.<br /> You can try an electrical shop in Tice, go east on Palm Beach Blvd/hiway 80 on left side of hiway about 2/3 blocks before you get<br />to San Carlos Marine, cant find it ask them,<br />they use to rebuild anything electrial automotive or marine. If no luck there try Gulf Coast auto repair in N. Ft Myers at old 41 and Pondella. Is there a pulley on front of engine for a belt?

 

[STEVIE B]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE HELP, I REALLY APPREACIATE IT. THERE IS A PULLEY ON THE CRANK IN THE FRONT. THERE ISN'T MUCH ROOM BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE FLOOR OF THE BOAT TO GET A BELT ON, BUT I'LL FIGURE A WAY TO DO IT.IF I MOUNT A ALTERNATOR SHOULD I DISCONNECT ANY WIRES FOR THE STATOR?? WHAT ABOUT THOSE GOING TO THE WATER COOLED REGULATOR BELOW THE HEAT EXCHANGER?? SHOULD I DISCONNECT THE + BATTERY LEAD ALWAYS AFTER EACH USE?? IS THERE AN ACTUAL AFTER MARKET KIT AVAILABLE FOR MOUNTING A ALTERNATOR, BRACKETS ETC. AND IF THIS IS SO EASY WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST MANUFACTURE WITH AN ALTERNATOR AND NOT A STATOR?? THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE HELP

 

[clanton]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

If your engine does not have power steering, and has the 3 threaded holes in front of the cylinder head, you should be able to make an adjusting arm for belt, or get arm from junk yard. Then borrow a core alt from local rebuilder, install core, and after all brackets/arm ???? and alt in installed, just change out core with new alt.<br />I think you need a 7x3/8 inch bolt and some washers to space the alt to align the belt.

 

[ahollinger]

Re: MERC 170 STATOR?? HELP

Make sure to use a marine alternator, not an automotive one. Don't want anything that can spark inside a closed cowling.