Alternator not Charging

[graham460]

Hello Fellow Sailors...

I have just had a solar system fitted in My Nauticat and 4 new Batteries
The Solar system is connected to Domestic bank 2 and bank 1 is the starter bank (Both same make of Batteries0

The Solar systems is working ok.

However When I start the Engine (Bank 2 Domestic) the ALTERNATOR is Not charging

I switched to Bank 1 2 Starter Batteries Alternator Still not Charging

I spoke to the Electrician he said " he did not touch any Engine wires etc.


And Advice would be helpful especiall as we need to Sail in 2 days to move boat for Lift out 25miles away.

Regards Graham

 

[michael_w]

Check alternator output with a multimeter. If no output, it's probably fubar. Get a new/exchange one. Looks pretty elderly in the photo.

 

[graham460]

Hello MIchael I have a multimeter onBoard.. Not too familiar with the Settings

HOW do you check the Alternator with a Multimeter..

Have you got Step by Step Instructions It is very tight Access.

Regards graham

 

[footsoldier]

Your first recourse should surely be your electrician? If he is worthy of the name he should be back like a shot to see what is wrong with a boat he has just worked on.

A forum is not the best place to try to learn the basics of how to use a multimeter. There are innumerable 'how to' guides on Google, and there must be countless You Tube videos on trouble-shooting an alternator.

 

[graham460]

Hi Footsoldier.. I know the very Basics How to Test my Boat Batteries

I am Just wondering does anyone know the mak and Model of this alter ator I cannot see any Make in it, I think there maybe different types also

Regards Graham

 

[Refueler]

mmmmm ... maybe I'm missing something ...

"When I start the Engine (Bank 2 Domestic) the ALTERNATOR is Not charging"

Do you have BOTH banks main switches ON or just Domestic bank ? Why are you starting engine with Domestic Bank 2 if as you say - you have bank 1 for engine start ?

"I switched to Bank 1 2 Starter Batteries Alternator Still not Charging"

??? You started with Bank 2 (Domestic) then switched to Bank 1 (engine) - did you switch OFF main switch to Bank 2 or leave ON ?

Just trying to imagine it ... do you have a VSR that sits between Bank 1 and 2 ?

Most more modern systems as I understand it ... have main charge after starting to engine batts - then when near charged - VSR kicks in and domestics get charged as well ... but to start engine on domestics would require the 'jumper' switch to be engaged to combine engine and domestics ???

Usually if alternator stops charging - its diodes are blown due to misuse of switching .. suggest get Electrician back on board and check it out fully.

 

[graham460]

mmmmm ... maybe I'm missing something ...
Hello Refueler

I was just trying the Domestic side to ensure BOTH banks can start theEngine

"When I start the Engine (Bank 2 Domestic) the ALTERNATOR is Not charging"

Do you have BOTH banks main switches ON or just Domestic bank ? Why are you starting engine with Domestic Bank 2 if as you say - you have bank 1 for engine start ?

"I switched to Bank 1 2 Starter Batteries Alternator Still not Charging"

??? You started with Bank 2 (Domestic) then switched to Bank 1 (engine) - did you switch OFF main switch to Bank 2 or leave ON ?

I Started the Engine On Bak 2 Domestic to Use up Some power (Checking the solar system Display) I STOPPED the ENGINE waited a few minutes then Started the Engine with Starter Bank 1 ALL GOOD

Just trying to imagine it ... do you have a VSR that sits between Bank 1 and 2 ?

I have a !@v Switch under the Helm It can Select Bank1 Or BOTH then Bank 2

Most more modern systems as I understand it ... have main charge after starting to engine batts - then when near charged - VSR kicks in and domestics get charged as well ... but to start engine on domestics would require the 'jumper' switch to be engaged to combine engine and domestics ???

As I mentioned abouve I was just Testing the Domestic side THE SOLAR SYSTEM POWERS THE DOMESTIC BATTERIES and The ELECTRICIAN has Installed a CYRIX Which When the Domestic are full topped up the FLOW goes from Domestic to Starter When they charge the Starter Batteries

Usually if alternator stops charging - its diodes are blown due to misuse of switching .. suggest get Electrician back on board and check it out fully.

 

[graham460]

I was just trying the Domestic side to ensure BOTH banks can start theEngine



I Started the Engine On Bak 2 Domestic to Use up Some power (Checking the solar system Display) I STOPPED the ENGINE waited a few minutes then Started the Engine with Starter Bank 1 ALL GOOD

I have a !@v Switch under the Helm It can Select Bank1 Or BOTH then Bank 2


As I mentioned abouve I was just Testing the Domestic side THE SOLAR SYSTEM POWERS THE DOMESTIC BATTERIES and The ELECTRICIAN has Installed a CYRIX Which When the Domestic are full topped up the FLOW goes from Domestic to Starter When they charge the Starter Batteries

I was just trying the Domestic side to ensure BOTH banks can start theEngine



I Started the Engine On Bak 2 Domestic to Use up Some power (Checking the solar system Display) I STOPPED the ENGINE waited a few minutes then Started the Engine with Starter Bank 1 ALL GOOD

I have a !@v Switch under the Helm It can Select Bank1 Or BOTH then Bank 2

Usually if alternator stops charging - its diodes are blown due to misuse of switching .. suggest get Electrician back on board and check it out fully.

I have tried ALL Day to try to get an Electrician I have phoned 3 marinas and Other places.. NO Luck
QUESTION
I DON'T THINK IT WAS INCORRECT SWITCHING AS I sued the STOP button each time Engine was OFF before I switched to the different set of batteries

WHERE WOULD THE FUSES / diodes BE ON THE ALTERNATOR

As I mentioned abouve I was just Testing the Domestic side THE SOLAR SYSTEM POWERS THE DOMESTIC BATTERIES and The ELECTRICIAN has Installed a CYRIX Which When the Domestic are full topped up the FLOW goes from Domestic to Starter When they charge the Starter Batteries

 

[michael_w]

Go and buy a copy of Nigel Calder's book, it's invaluble.

 

[graham460]

Go and buy a copy of Nigel Calder's book, it's invaluble.

I have one of his Books Maybe an Older one BIG BLUE ONE BOATOWNERS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL MANUAL Good idea to read Jus thtat i am a Rush

 

[Refueler]

Do you mean a 1 - Both - 2 - Off switch ?

If its the old switch as that - then switching between 1 - Both - 2 is fine when engine is on and alternator working as the switch is make before break. BUT it should never be switched to or through OFF when engine running.

Just asking .. are you sure the CYRIX is switching Solar from bank to bank ... ? Is it not controlling Alternator charge to either bank ?

 

[Boater Sam]

How do you know that the alternator is not charging? Is there a charge warning light?

 

[B27]

Hello Fellow Sailors...

I have just had a solar system fitted in My Nauticat and 4 new Batteries
The Solar system is connected to Domestic bank 2 and bank 1 is the starter bank (Both same make of Batteries0

The Solar systems is working ok.

However When I start the Engine (Bank 2 Domestic) the ALTERNATOR is Not charging

I switched to Bank 1 2 Starter Batteries Alternator Still not Charging

I spoke to the Electrician he said " he did not touch any Engine wires etc.


And Advice would be helpful especiall as we need to Sail in 2 days to move boat for Lift out 25miles away.

Regards Graham

If you start with the batteries fully charged, just keep the motor running, you will have plenty of power for lights and instruments etc for 25 miles?

 

[cherod]

How do you know that the alternator is not charging? Is there a charge warning light?

Maybe thats why he asked if anyone could advise on how to check using multimeter ?

 

[cherod]

Your first recourse should surely be your electrician? If he is worthy of the name he should be back like a shot to see what is wrong with a boat he has just worked on.

A forum is not the best place to try to learn the basics of how to use a multimeter. There are innumerable 'how to' guides on Google, and there must be countless You Tube videos on trouble-shooting an alternator.

Mmm , there was me hoping that you were going to give some quick easy advice on settings and which points to use , surely cant be thst difficult . ( I believe it is possible to test between main feed from alternator to poss term on battery )

 

[PaulRainbow]

The Cyrix is a microprocessor controlled VSR, it doesn't charge one battery, then charge the other. As soon as the voltage rises on one bank or the other the relay closes, joining the two banks in parallel and charging all batteries. It will do this when the solar controller is charging the batteries, or when the alternator is charging them.

The solar controller should be connected to the domestic batteries and the alternator to the engine battery, the VSR will take care of the rest.

The 1-2-B switch is junk, put it in the skip and fit separate switches for the engine and domestic systems, with an emergency switch.

As for the alternator issue, it's impossible to be much help with the limited information available, the photos don't help either. That said, is there an ignition light ? Does it come on then the power is turned on and does it go off when the engine is started ?

 

[Refueler]

How do you know that the alternator is not charging? Is there a charge warning light?

Another question is whether the engine needed to be revved up to get charging started .... my Perkins does not charge straight away when started - I need to throttle up to a fast idle for a few secs - light goes out showing its charging - then I can put back to idle ... basically the alternator is 'tired' !!

 

[graham460]

How do you know that the alternator is not charging? Is there a charge warning light?

Hi Nt too sure about the Cyrix There is NO LED to show it is working YES THE ORANGE LIGHT IS COMING ON NOT CHARGING AND THE AMPMETER IS NOT MOVING WHEN YOU SWITH ON THE ENGINE

 

[Boater Sam]

So the charge light come on with the key but fails to go off when you start and rev the engine?
All the wires are connected to the alternator?

Change the alternator.

 

[B27]

Hi Nt too sure about the Cyrix There is NO LED to show it is working YES THE ORANGE LIGHT IS COMING ON NOT CHARGING AND THE AMPMETER IS NOT MOVING WHEN YOU SWITH ON THE ENGINE

Perhaps the ammeter broken, or no longer in circuit?
Perhaps no current is flowing because the batteries are already charged ?

If you cover the solar panel to take that out of the circuit, then
Connect voltmeter to engine battery
Select engine battery only
Start engine.

Volts should drop to 10 or so while cranking, then recover to 12-ish with no charging, or if the alternator works, the volts will go up to 14-ish.

If your batteries are all fully charged, more than 12.6 'resting' with no load, then you should be fine to motor 25 miles

But it's easier to run the engine afloat and it would be good to sort this before winter.