Alternator

Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
My alternator went bad Wednesday night while out playing on Lake Lavon. I pulled the alternator out of the boat and discovered why the darn thing quit working......it was a Delco (GM crap) alternator!!!!!  crazy.gif I know.

Anyway, I brought it in to the Napa fellers and they tested it out for me and declared that it was indeed dead. I went ahead and replaced it with a Re-manned Delco from Napa.

I have two concerns with this; 1. This darn thing is now re-manned in China.....I know that Pep boys and Autozone have crappy remanufacterd alternators, does the same hold true with Napa ramanns? Duane? How's Napas products quality? I was talking to a few mechanics in Napa last night and they said they ONLY go to Napa for their parts because the quality control is so much better.

2. The alternator I took off the motor was not a marine alternator. Should I be concerned that the newly installed alternator is not a marine alternator either? I know the marine alts have spark suppression screens etc...... just wondering if I made the wrong choice by using an auto alt versus a marine one.

Thanks guys.
 
K

KONA77

New member
closed compartment boats should have a marine alternater on them,  the basic difference is a metal spark arrester bolted to the back of them,  honestly,  i do not see that the do much in arresting any sparks from the alternator....
 
Devilman

Devilman

Well-known member
Regarding the automotive/marine alt. situation.... I know they say in a closed engine compartment situation that marine style is what you are supposed to have. Now, I would say that its been on there no telling how long & been fine, but all it takes is the one time for something to go bad & there ya are. Admittedly, I say this not knowing exactly "what" could happen, I dunno, ignite fumes I guess?

I'll throw this out there as well, kinda sounds like you knowing its not a marine alt on there, you're not gonna be truly comfortable with it. You don't wanna be at the lake & have somethin naggin at ya in the back of yer mind.... Just my 1 1/2 cents on it.

Far as what you get from what parts place.... I know people have their preferances, but I'm really not sure if it actually matters. Everything is crap nowadays unfortunately. :tongue: :cheesy:
 
duanehydro

duanehydro

Active member
I am somewhat neutral on aftermarket parts.....except vatozone. I have used all brands, Napa is good stuff.(most of the time)

Get a real marine alternator asap. If something were to happen, some reason you didn't run the blower, fumes can explode.  your engine cover will be on the beach.
 
Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
Good point Kenny..... When I replaced the belt last fall I knew that the Alternator looked pretty ratty and assumed that it was not a marine one and vowed that when it came time to replace it that I'd replace it with a marine one. Since then I've forgotten my prior intentions due to Old Man Syndrome (OMS) and replaced it with an automotive one. It wasn't until I spoke with Matt on the phone last night that I realized I made a boo boo.
 
K

KONA77

New member
I'll say this,  i guess the Coast Guard inspection missed that  :grin:


i have a marine alternator on mine,  i will say if there is enough fumes in the boat,  it's not gonna stop it from going up like a bomb.... just sayin....  think.gif
 
Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
Okay, the boat is freakin' stayin' on the trailer until I get a marine alternator on there.

Next question.....do I go to CP performance for one or where do I get one?

 
K

KONA77

New member
Crusader said:
Okay, the boat is freakin' stayin' on the trailer until I get a marine alternator on there.

Next question.....do I go to CP performance for one or where do I get one?
Click to expand...

ask napa if they have one or can order one,  might be cheaper

i bought mine from the local Car Quest parts store here in BC,  they had it on the shelf,  can ya believe,  half the price than the mail order guys  :smile16:
 
Devilman

Devilman

Well-known member
Crusader said:
Okay, the boat is freakin' stayin' on the trailer until I get a marine alternator on there.

Next question.....do I go to CP performance for one or where do I get one?
Click to expand...

I'd try & just exchange it where you got it... Or you could take the engine cover off & cost yourself a shitload more money in the process. :wink: :grin:

 
duanehydro

duanehydro

Active member
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-105-Amp-Delco-Marine-Alternator-Mercruiser-1-Wire-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e50d3289QQitemZ360325132937QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

You'd have to drill the 3/8 mounting hole to 7/16, but it'll work fine. :smile30:
 
Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
I'm running two batteries and a kickin' stereo and have a 63 amp alternator on there now. The Marine alternator I'm looking at is the same specs.

http://www.spidermarine.com/ShowItem/104260%20New%20Delco%2012v%2063%20Amp%20One%20Wire%20Marine%20Alternator.aspx

Do I really need 105amps or is the 63A good enough?
 
duanehydro

duanehydro

Active member
ummm...20 bucks cheaper, and will be at your house in 3 days....plus more amps to feed both batteries. :smile21:
 
K

KONA77

New member
i think it should be pointed out,  that if your using a breaker inline with you alternator,  and you increase the amp output of your alternator,  you should increase the size of the breaker to handle the amp out,  otherwize this breaker could trip and not allow the full amp output to be used and could cause premature alternator failure,.....  just sayin  think.gif
 
Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
Okay, I pulled the trigger and bought that alternator Duane posted up. Thanks bro.

The old alternator was most certainly NOT a marine alternator and it worked fine for years however....as was mentioned by D-man and Duane, it only takes one time to blow that sucker up. I made a big deal about running a marine carb in December and would be a hypocrite by not running a marine alternator too. Besides, for $64 including shipping and at my house in 2-6 days, I can't really beat that deal.

 
Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
John said:
do you have a vent fan on your engine compartment?
Click to expand...

I have a blower, yes. I use it before each start too...

Also I have to foreward facing vents and two aft facing vents.
 
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