I agree-don't know if your alternator matches mine, but it's got internal diodes and an external regulator-but regardless of your configuration, a good auto electric shop can test any alternator out there. Sure, they'll do things differently if you have a regulator or diodes built in-but it's their job to ID it and interpret the results. It's simple if that's what you do for a living. And it's unlikely that you need a new alternator. More likely, 99% of the time or more, you need a replacement diode triplet, or you need a rewiring, both of which aren't terribly pricey and can be accomplished by a place like that. I used to take alternators, generators, and starters to Peru Auto Electric (don't go there-it's way inland, but this is just an example) and they'd take it back in their greasy little one-car service garage, give me the verdict in two minutes, and have it rebuilt the next day, with a bill that was NEVER more than forty bucks. Also, you can pick up rebuilt alternators at places like Farm and Fleet that will pretty much match; there are only a few standardized mountings and the pulleys are swappable so you can take yours off. You just need an alternator with a similar frame size and mounting. It won't be marinized, but it doesn't look like the one on my Atomic 4 is marinized either. And since the Atomic 4 has plenty of excess power, you could probably handle a much higher output alternator if your regulator and batteries will be happy. I was considering switching to a marinized, powder-coated Delco with internal diodes, external regulator that would let me use my Balmar multi-stage ARS regulator and give me 120 amp output-price quoted from a rebuilder in Florida was $135 including shipping. I'd go that route before sending $198 to iboats.com
Dave Shaddock From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Bernstorf Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: power I just found the listed replacement in iboats.com for $198. That's a good idea about the motor shop. Maybe they could test the thing. $200 seems pricey but this isn't a Ford Pinto either so maybe the price is reasonable. _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sailor Chef Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: power Jim, Let your fingers do the walking and find a auto electric shop, also you might want to look for an industrial motor shop (I think the atomic 4 was a pump motor in a parallel universe) Mark, Gratis (6115), NOLA Want to keep your WHOLE PAYCHECK? PLEASE VISIT http://www.fairtax.org ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Bernstorf <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:51 PM Subject: catalina27-talk: power So I'm sitting at my computer looking at this apparently dead alternator from my recently valiant Atomic 4. I think it is dead.so I took it to Pep Boys to test. They wanted to know what kind of truck it came off. So much for Manny Joe and Jack. Does anyone have any experience with these? Am I just stuck with tracking down a replacement off the internet and hoping that solves my problem or is there some place that can actually test it? It looks like it may have a regulator built into the back end of it which I would presume would die before the alternator would..but again, I'm not sure about the prospect of replacement parts for what I assume is thirty years old item. This is a Motorola alternator which surprised me. I am going to start looking for a replacement but if anyone has any words of wisdom I'm wide open! Thanks Jim Bernstorf Jules Distribution 6025 Cloverland Drive Brentwood, TN 37027 615.833.1848 _____ Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.5.10/1587 - Release Date: 8/2/2008 5:30 PM
