Alternator Problems.Only 25 years.

[oldgit]

While returning from a trip upriver recently my autohelm went a bit loony and all the electrics went haywire with loud buzzing from radio and fridge packing up..As had been meaning to replace the domestic batteries for ages decided that would be the first course of action.Cleared out underfloor locker and finally managed to tunnel through to battery location to extract 2 x bluudy great batteries hidden away under far deck.After much effort got 2 x times new 90ah units back into position and fired up then belatedly decided to check voltmeters ....doh...no charge on either clock.
*&^%$ ....alternators.
Removed both Paris/Rhone-Valeo units and took up to local fix-it shop. Left for them to check and went home.weekend trip out now well and truly cancelled.
While waiting overnight for for mender verdict do a bit of internet shopping.

Volvo Penta. £450+ each
Well known supplier in Poole £ 198.00 each....but £300.00 + for two.
Motor factor across road £ 130 +.

Verdict from mender.... both well ... £$%^&
One has been knackered for ages and one has been charging all the other batteries.
Cost of repairs about £90 each.
So buy new or fix old stuff.
Now off to sulk on immovable boat and probably paint green that bit of engine normally hidden by now absent alternators.

 

[spannerman]

Definitely wouldn't pay Volvo prices, I'd ring around various factors and see what kind of deal I could get on two units, but only go for a well known name, i.e. Lucas, Bosch,Valeo etc, there are some cheap and nasty units out their so as they say you get what you pay for. Volvo excepted of course!
Seeing as you have diesels there is no issue of them having to be 'marine' units, unless you propane onboard, but if its installed correctly there should be no danger of gas collecting in the engine room.

 

[oldgit]

Alternators

The cheaper new units are supposed to be 55ah Valeo,will probably get old 35ah units fixed unless further problems appear when dismantled and cost of repair exceeds new prices.
Why does stuff only break at weekends?
Pretty certain I did for remaining alternator when turned off "start key" first instead of using kill button to stop engine.