[Public-List] questions about starters & alternators

[Randy Katz]

Greetings, A-30 Enthusiasts,

Thanks for the replies I received to earlier questions re: starter &
alternator checks after 1700 hours, checking the soundness of my 50 year
old hull, and the poorly designed water pump for the Universal/Westerbeke
M3-20B diesel.

Don Campbell sent an expansive reply with many excellent suggestions &
notes--Don, would you be willing to share that with the rest of the group?
Others could well benefit from your experience and wisdom.

Rod (see below)--the diodes in my case remain fine with the alternator
functioning the same as it always did. Fortunately, I've not been struck by
lightning--yet! For that reason, there's no reason to check them: they work!

Michael (below)—I have to guess what the "delco gear" is, but your
description suggests the part that slides easily and smoothly to engage
starter gear teeth with the flywheel. I learned there are two types of
starters:

            * Inertia Type—A basic cylinder, which includes a Bendix drive
(and perhaps the Delco gear)

            * Pre-engaged Type--with Solenoid attached: A cylinder with a
solenoid on top (a smaller cylinder shape). When activated, the solenoid
activates an arm which slides the starter’s gear teeth into the flywheel’s.
It’s possible to jump contacts on the back of the solenoid to make starting
the engine possible by by-passing the solenoid if it’s not functional.

The starter parts of mine (pre-engaged) seem to work fine.

And Michael (below re: bearings)--The alternator pulley turns freely and
smoothly, so I’m going to assume there’s no need for a special bearing
test. I have yet to check the free play of bearings in my slowly failing
water pump, but plan to on my next trip to the boat.

Many thanks to all for taking the time to share this useful info.

Best Regards,

Randy Katz

Simple Gifts #249

Seattle/Bellingham, WA







>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2019 04:00:16 +0000
> From: Rod Symmes <weatherhelm at hotmail.com>
> To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
>         <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Checking the starter motor and
>         alternator...after 20 years & 1700 hours
> Message-ID:
>         <
> BY5PR12MB41616D8D986EDA6292055143BB7B0 at BY5PR12MB4161.namprd12.prod.outlook.com
> >
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> 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.
>
> --
> Sent from Outlook Email App for Android
>
> 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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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:27:23 +0000
> From: Michael <dickdurk at gmail.com>
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all"
>         <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Checking the starter motor and
>         alternator...after 20 years & 1700 hours
> Message-ID: <emc9935ea5-e213-47cf-abc1-79f5b76ccadd at windows-4mp6ooi>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=utf-8
>
> Since you already have the starter off-insure the delco gear runs freely
> up and down the shaft. Mine did not this spring and the starter became a
> generator and burned right up. Not a Universal, but as far as i can
> tell, all electric starters operate the same way.
> With hindsight, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Starter
> lives in a really abusive environment.
>
> Michael Grosh
> #220
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2019 08:42:02 -0500
> From: Andrew Johns <johnsab9 at gmail.com>
> To: Michael <dickdurk at gmail.com>,  Alberg 30 Public List -- open to
>         all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Checking the starter motor and
>         alternator...after 20 years & 1700 hours
> Message-ID:
>         <CAM5xwU5yKirpS6=
> 8jeV4F2VpACqPoyRZ-iPBaU_mODDCKJho8A at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> How do the bearings feel do they feel ok? Did the shop test with an
> oscilloscope?
>
> I had my alternator "gone through" earlier this year when I noticed a bit
> of bearing noise.  It was disassembled, inspected, cleaned, new bearings
> installed and load tested at a local shop for around $60 USD.
>


> On Fri, Nov 8, 2019 at 6:34 AM Michael via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
> > Since you already have the starter off-insure the delco gear runs freely
> > up and down the shaft. Mine did not this spring and the starter became a
> > generator and burned right up. Not a Universal, but as far as i can
> > tell, all electric starters operate the same way.
> > With hindsight, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Starter
> > lives in a really abusive environment.
> >
> > Michael Grosh
> > #220
> >
> >
>