Alternator rebuild around Portsmout

BacktoBoats

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Hello, I have a rebuilt alternator that puts out a rather ambitious 14.3v. The guy who rebuilt it (now retired) said the higher voltage is good for dealing with voltage drops on boats. The issue is I have AGM batteries that I am uncomfortable to have sitting at 14.3v for potentially a day or two if motoring once they are fully charged. I would like to reduce the output or just turn it off at this point. The regulator is internal. I have tried disconnecting the D+ but it still fires into life once revved up. The only solution I can think of is dismantling it and putting a simple switch in the field wires, a bit similar to the standard sterling external regulator set up. However I am a bit nervous about doing this myself as I need to be sure I have a completely reliable solution.

I have searched for anyone who truly rebuilds alternators but can't find anyone locally. The one in Emsworth has shut down, Just alternators & starter motors is listed as closed.

Any suggestions? Thanks.
 

peteK

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Hello, I have a rebuilt alternator that puts out a rather ambitious 14.3v. The guy who rebuilt it (now retired) said the higher voltage is good for dealing with voltage drops on boats. The issue is I have AGM batteries that I am uncomfortable to have sitting at 14.3v for potentially a day or two if motoring once they are fully charged. I would like to reduce the output or just turn it off at this point. The regulator is internal. I have tried disconnecting the D+ but it still fires into life once revved up. The only solution I can think of is dismantling it and putting a simple switch in the field wires, a bit similar to the standard sterling external regulator set up. However I am a bit nervous about doing this myself as I need to be sure I have a completely reliable solution.

I have searched for anyone who truly rebuilds alternators but can't find anyone locally. The one in Emsworth has shut down, Just alternators & starter motors is listed as closed.

Any suggestions?
Most alternators put out over 14v my Lucas A127 supplies 14.4v.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
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BacktoBoats

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[/QUOTE]
Hi, yes thanks for that. I am aware that 14.3V isn't exceptionally high. The issue is the recommended float by the manufacturers (Rolls) at 25 deg C is 13.8v. I had a problem with a previous set drying out whilst on charge over the winter as the Victron slightly overcharged them so I am nervous about a repeat!
 

Refueler

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The old split diode unit had a trait that was a pain - but in your case may be an advantage ... it caused a drop in actual voltage at the batterys by approx 0.5 - 0.7V ..... its why Sterling / Adverc and various created controllers to counter it ...

Basically the alternator was thumping out its 14.5+ V to the diode box ... the diodes caused a drop in voltage and batterys were never fully charged .... so we had a choice - fit a Sterling or other box that was battery sensed - to beat the alternator ... or alter the alternator itself.

For your setup - just the Diode box would do the job you want .... reckon you could find one cheap in a yard ... I have one not used still in my engine bay - but I'm in Latvia so not much use to you ... sorry.
 

burgundyben

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All I can see there is hawthorn electrics who sell electrical appliances? Do you have any more info? Thanks.
On White Chimney Row there was a place called Old Dairy Workshop, there was a fella in there that rebuilt starters and alternators, old school, knew what he was doing.
 
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catalina1

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Power Components Address: Old Dairy Workshops, Whitechimney Row, Westbourne, Emsworth PO10 8SD, UK
Phone: 01243 378460
West Sussex
City: Emsworth
: PO10 8SD
Is this it ?
 

Never Grumble

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Power Components that was Roger I used him to refurb my alternator about 4 years ago. An old school type business dont know if he is still around.
 

samfieldhouse

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Refueler

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I used to use two guys - which one depended on how much work they had on at time ... one was in Titchfield Village ... other was in Havant ...

Lets be honest - there are loads of guys around who do this sort of work - any decent auto electrician who works alternators should be able to.
 

MrCramp

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These people are in Plymouth and were really helpful some 10 years ago when we were on passage Falmouth to Harwich and had a problem. Nice people and appeared technically very good. I think they will do a mail order service. Hope they are still there.

The Starter Motor & Alternator Co LTD

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Trident

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Just to confirm the above - Roger at Old Dairy Westbourne has retired after having long covid - a great shame as he was great at his job, fast and very reasonably priced. In one case I sent him a starter on UPS from the wilds of Cornwall when it broke on us, he got it next day (with a new UPS label back to me inside the box) and told the UPS driver to pop back in a couple of hours if he could... I got it back the following day , rebuilt and at a charge of £25.
 

andsarkit

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These people are in Plymouth and were really helpful some 10 years ago when we were on passage Falmouth to Harwich and had a problem. Nice people and appeared technically very good. I think they will do a mail order service. Hope they are still there.

The Starter Motor & Alternator Co LTD

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Still there and I used them a couple of times last year for a car related alternator and starter. Very helpful and will do a refurbish in the workshop at the back or supply new. They have most marine alternators in stock.
 
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