Volvo alternator

[jastacey]

I'm thinking of converting my Paris Rhone unit to one of those Delco Marine 3 wire units, I looked into having the existing alternator repaired, but the shops here in town have quoted 175.00 - 300.00 to repair, The wire diagram shows that it goes to the coil, choke & panel lights, is this an output that only generated when the engine is running?, or is it a differant voltage?

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo alternator

Other than being Volvo, there isn't enough information to answer your question. How about a model number and year, gas, diesel.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo alternator

The wire diagram shows that it goes to the coil, choke & panel lights, is this an output that only generated when the engine is running?, or is it a differant voltage?

I Think you might be looking at it Backwards...........<br /><br />It's Probably the Ignition Circuit,....... It's Only "Hot" when the Key is On..........<br />That would be the "Exciter wire" at the Alt....<br /><br />There should be 1 Big wire that runs to the Battery,..via the Starter........<br />That'll be the Charging wire...... <br /><br />'Course,....... I know Little or Nothing about Volvos,.......

 

[jastacey]

Re: Volvo alternator

Here's the info, AQ225D, 1983 model year, Gas engine, the alternator is a 14 volt, 50 amp

 

[jastacey]

Re: Volvo alternator

Oh, I forgot to add this unit ( Delco Marine, 3 wire type ) is they say for mercruiser and others, I have the space to install it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo alternator

Before you get involved with that Delco alternator, the mounting is different. The upper mount where it attaches to the bracket is offset which will cause the belt to be about 1/4" misaligned with the crank and circ pump pulleys. The lower bolt is also in a different location. This will cause the bracket to hit the alternator fan blades. Then you have pulley problems to deal with. The Volvo uses a wider belt than the Mercruisers do, changing the pulley won't work because the shafts are usually a different size.<br />If you want to deal with all those problems each time you repace the alternator, then you can deal with the wiring.

 

[jastacey]

Re: Volvo alternator

Well .. I guess that ends that, any other suggestions besides spending 300.00 for another Paris Rhome unit?

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo alternator

You might check with NAPA, they sell ARCO brand (They do here anyway) and see if they have one.<br />Here is a link to the ARCO Catalog.<br /><br /> http://www.arcomarine.com/

 

[jastacey]

Re: Volvo alternator

Well ... Many thanks for all the help, when I went to the parts store ( I had some Volvo parts on order ),I poped the question to them and they more or less said the same thing as Don S. had said about the Delco Marine alternator conversion, and in the course of the conversation, I was handed a Arco Electrical Technical Manual, which by the way answeared most of my questions about 3 wire hook-ups, had no idea that most battery isolators, need the exciting wire voltage.... anyways, I found the problem, the wire (red) from the Alternator to the starter terminal had a huge voltage drop, I just had to dig alittle deeper that just cleaning the terminals on all the connections in that circuit, as a side note build a relationship with your supplier, you'll be surprised at the help you'll get .. and of course from this board ... IMHO

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo alternator

I found the problem, the wire (red) from the Alternator to the starter terminal had a huge voltage drop, I just had to dig alittle deeper that just cleaning the terminals on all the connections in that circuit,

You're Learning,................................................................. <br /><br />Diagnosis is Always Cheaper than just Throwing Parts at it,+ Hoping that you Get Lucky.............. <br /><br />You just Saved $300.00,+ a Ton of Aggravation trying to swap out a Part that Doesn't Fit............