Advice about Volvo 2003 alternator needed

[AntarcticPilot]

I ran my engine (Volvo 2003) yesterday, but while running it I checked the battery voltage and got almost 20V. As it's usually something over 14v, I stopped the engine; I don't want to boil my batteries.

I've checked the wiring diagram for the engine and there's no external regulator on the alternator, so first question - is there a regulator internal to the alternator? The alternator is like this: Volvo Penta 2003 Alternator isolated earth

Second question - is the best "fix" simply to fit a new alternator? I have reason to believe the existing alternator may not be emitting correct tachometer pulses.

 

[VicS]

Take the alternator to an automobile electrician ** who can test it fully and replace the internal components as necessary

It may or may not be an easy DIY job to replace the internal regulator. Have a look at it first to see if that is within your capabilities.

A new alternator is the very last resort .

( **Curd Bros in Tunbridge Wells have a good reputation if you are passing that way)

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Take the alternator to an automobile electrician ** who can test it fully and replace the internal components as necessary

It may or may not be an easy DIY job to replace the internal regulator. Have a look at it first to see if that is within your capabilities.

A new alternator is the very last resort .

( **Curd Bros in Tunbridge Wells have a good reputation if you are passing that way)

Unfortunately, I have to have a fix by the 18th of March, so I may have no choice - replacement is the quickest fix, as I live nearly 2 hours from the boat.

 

[Pete7]

I have just fitted one of these, its a 100Ah replacement alternator. I used the original alternator pulley as the crank pulley is quite small perhaps a 3/8" belt width. The original negative and positive wires are way undersize so replaced with 25mm wire. you might need so extra washers to align the alternator pulley. Otherwise a straight forward job taking a morning including the extra wires.

12V 100 AMP UPRATED VOLVO PENTA ALTERNATOR A3673

Needed a impact driver to get the old nut off the alternator and a screwdriver in the fins towards the shaft. New alternator has a hex drive hole in the end of the shaft.

 

[yotter]

I have just fitted one of these, its a 100Ah replacement alternator. I used the original alternator pulley as the crank pulley is quite small perhaps a 3/8" belt width. The original negative and positive wires are way undersize so replaced with 25mm wire. you might need so extra washers to align the alternator pulley. Otherwise a straight forward job taking a morning including the extra wires.

12V 100 AMP UPRATED VOLVO PENTA ALTERNATOR A3673

Needed a impact driver to get the old nut off the alternator and a screwdriver in the fins towards the shaft. New alternator has a hex drive hole in the end of the shaft.

I have a very similar alternator from these people in Plymouth. It was for a VP 2030 and for me was a direct replacement, so shims required. Mine is 100A, on the limit for a single V belt, but smaller may be available, if you choose that route. They are very helpful so worth a telephone call. No connection, just a happy customer.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

At present I don't see any need for a higher output, so I'd prefer a direct replacement, if that's what turns out best. Parts4engines do a direct replacement at £125, which doesn't seem too bad.

 

[VicS]

Unfortunately, I have to have a fix by the 18th of March, so I may have no choice - replacement is the quickest fix, as I live nearly 2 hours from the boat.

The P4E one is made by Prestolite so should be OK.. I'd not fit any old cheap Ebay junk!

But if you can take at least a quick look at your current one.
It's possible ( and I think it is from looking at the VP parts diagram ) that the regulator and brush assembly can easily be removed and replaced

BUT not with the VP replacement part ... that's silly money ( over €400 ). That really is stupid

On reflection I think Id buy the new alternator from P4E

 

[Boater Sam]

I ran my engine (Volvo 2003) yesterday, but while running it I checked the battery voltage and got almost 20V. As it's usually something over 14v, I stopped the engine; I don't want to boil my batteries.

I've checked the wiring diagram for the engine and there's no external regulator on the alternator, so first question - is there a regulator internal to the alternator? The alternator is like this: Volvo Penta 2003 Alternator isolated earth

Second question - is the best "fix" simply to fit a new alternator? I have reason to believe the existing alternator may not be emitting correct tachometer pulses.

Try this firm, very competitive, £10 next day delivery. Sorted my odd alternator needs.
Lancashire Rotating Electrical 01772 623600

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Try this firm, very competitive, £10 next day delivery. Sorted my odd alternator needs.
Lancashire Rotating Electrical 01772 623600

Regrettably, that's about 200 miles from me! I'm near Ely, in Cambridgeshire.

 

[PabloPicasso]

My old alternate on a volvo 2001 boiled my battery a few years ago. One of the fellas in the local port workshop tested it and said it was multiply knackered. Not worth faffing around repairing as new replacements are not too expensive. They don't seem to recondition them anymore, just not cost effective.

Buy a new one and it'll give years of trouble free service.

Mine looks like that prestolite model in the link from Pete above.

 

[Boater Sam]

Regrettably, that's about 200 miles from me! I'm near Ely, in Cambridgeshire.

I know but you can have one tomorrow --- delivered!

 

[Pete7]

You're running out of time, so would you like to borrow my old one? Still works perfectly and outputs 14.2v. Hermes are offering a price of £8.08 for up to 10kg to Cambridge. P4E want £150 incl delivery, the Plymouth dealer less obvious but might be £165 delivered. They look identical BTW.

Pete

 

[AntarcticPilot]

You're running out of time, so would you like to borrow my old one? Still works perfectly and outputs 14.2v. Hermes are offering a price of £8.08 for up to 10kg to Cambridge. P4E want £150 incl delivery, the Plymouth dealer less obvious but might be £165 delivered. They look identical BTW.

Pete

Thanks; that's a kind offer. But I've ordered the one from P4E, and paid a few pounds extra for delivery tomorrow. So hopefully I can fit it in the next day or so.

 

[Pete7]

Good plan and saves on having to do the job twice. Do have a look at the wires though. The positive is quite short from alternator to starter solenoid. The negative I changed and rather than use the engine block, took the wire to a bus bar I had previously installed in the engine bay. There is still a negative wire from a gearbox mounting bolt to the bus bar so that oil and temperature senders have a return.

It also helped taking the top set of steps out to gain better access.

Pete

 

[AntarcticPilot]

The new alternator arrived this morning, and I only ordered it yesterday afternoon! So top marks to P4E and UPS. Unfortunately I can't get to the boat for a few days, but I'll update this thread when I've fitted it.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Just to close the thread, I fitted the alternator last week, and it works fine and has fixed the problem. The only difficulty I had (besides the usual ones of working on boats!) was that I couldn't undo the nut holding the pulley on the old alternator, and had to take it to an engineer to undo it.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Well done!!

 

[Pickard Corsair]

Just to close the thread, I fitted the alternator last week, and it works fine and has fixed the problem. The only difficulty I had (besides the usual ones of working on boats!) was that I couldn't undo the nut holding the pulley on the old alternator, and had to take it to an engineer to undo it.

Appreciate this is an old thread but have just bought the recommended Parts 4 engine alternator for my Volvo Penta 2003 (this is the insulated earth though so had to add another heavy wired connection back to the battery) did you have any issues with the fan blades rubbing on the adjustment bracket and if so could you suggest any adjustments? Many thanks

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Appreciate this is an old thread but have just bought the recommended Parts 4 engine alternator for my Volvo Penta 2003 (this is the insulated earth though so had to add another heavy wired connection back to the battery) did you have any issues with the fan blades rubbing on the adjustment bracket and if so could you suggest any adjustments? Many thanks

I had no difficulties at all, once the pulley was persuaded to come off the old alternator. I just tried to look up the part number I got, but unfortunately Parts4engines doesn't retain order information.

I just tried to imagine it, but I don't see how the fan blades can rub against the adjuster stay. On my engine they aren't even close to each other.

 

[Pickard Corsair]

I had no difficulties at all, once the pulley was persuaded to come off the old alternator. I just tried to look up the part number I got, but unfortunately Parts4engines doesn't retain order information.

I just tried to imagine it, but I don't see how the fan blades can rub against the adjuster stay. On my engine they aren't even close to each other.