Mercruiser 470 3.7 liter 170HP alternator conversion

[southwest395]

Hi,

I have 1986 Sea ray. I want to convert it to the alternator conversion. I work in a machine shop so i fab my on mounting brackets. My question is do i have to go to a one wire alternator or can i go to a normal 3 wire one.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 470 3.7 liter 170HP alternator conversion

Sure you can go to a 3 wire.

View attachment 470 wiring w alt.pdf

 

[southwest395]

Re: Mercruiser 470 3.7 liter 170HP alternator conversion

And if it matters mine has power steering.

 

[southwest395]

Re: Mercruiser 470 3.7 liter 170HP alternator conversion

which one is better 3 wire or 1

 

[southwest395]

Re: Mercruiser 470 3.7 liter 170HP alternator conversion

IF you go to the three one. Do I by pass the voltage regulator or do I still use it ? And when you switch to the alternator setup is there anything you have to do to the motor wise. As far as the old charging setup.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 470 3.7 liter 170HP alternator conversion

Completely remove the OEM charging system. I also remove the stator. The reason for that is when a magnet comes loose it will catch on the stator and break things. Without the stator, there is nothing to hit or pull at the magnets and things don't get broken.
The regulator can stay (with wires removed) so you have a water tube between the two hoses.