[Public-List] Checking the starter motor and alternator...after 20 years & 1700 hours

Rod Symmes weatherhelm at hotmail.com
Thu Nov 7 20:00:16 PST 2019


Did your "guy" check the diodes in the alternator  ?

PERSEVERANCE  was "tickled " by lightening a year ago and I noticed immediately that the sound of the alternator had changed.  My local rebuilder determined that one of the diodes was destroyed and replacing that and the fried external voltage regulator made her change better than ever.

--
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Thursday, 07 November 2019, 08:14p.m. -05:00 from Randy Katz via Public-List public-list at lists.alberg30.org<mailto:public-list at lists.alberg30.org>:

Greetings, Sailors,

I just pulled my starter (with solenoid) and alternator for a check.
They're the original equipment on my Universal/Westerbeke M3-20B diesel
engine, which was installed about 20 years ago (with 1700 hours now). The
parts function well to date, but I wanted to check on them given their age.

The local Westerbeke sales outlet Gallery Marine in Seattle suggests
Ballard Electric for testing these two parts, but I went to *Blanchard
Electric near Boeing Field* instead. I'm glad I did!

Todd in the Blanchard shop was surprised I'd think servicing was needed,
given such "low hours." (It's true, I was looking at an average use of 100
hrs/year.) However, he said he'd take a look at the brushes on each piece
if I used his tools on the spot to take apart the starter and alternator. I
did, and he showed me how I could read the what part of the brushes were
used and what remained. All the brushes on both parts were fine with plenty
of life remaining. He said if they were his, he'd put them back on the
engine and not worry about it. If anything, the solenoid could be replaced
for < $100, but unless the contacts were wrecked up, that wouldn't be
needed. (Easy to check this, said he. I plan to.)

*QUESTION*-- Is there anything else that needs to be checked as long as I
have the starter & alternator off the boat? Todd thought not.

I plan to do basic cleaning, light sanding of the parts that the brushes
rub against, and to check that the brushes are still well seated, given my
fiddling around.

Many thanks for any comments~~

Randy Katz
SImple Gifts #249
Seattle/Bellingham
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