Alternator rebuild around Portsmout

[BacktoBoats]

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]

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]

[/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!

 

[Boater Sam]

Why not use a Sterling controller and adjust the voltages it is set to?

 

[Refueler]

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]

The chap in White Chimney Row?

 

[BacktoBoats]

The chap in White Chimney Row?

All I can see there is hawthorn electrics who sell electrical appliances? Do you have any more info? Thanks.

 

[burgundyben]

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.

 

[oldharry]

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.

+1 for the chap in the Old Dairy. His workshop was round to the right in the yard, and not obvious. But definitely knows his stuff.

 

[burgundyben]

+1 for the chap in the Old Dairy. His workshop was round to the right in the yard, and not obvious. But definitely knows his stuff.

To be fair it must be 10 years since I used him.

 

[BacktoBoats]

To be fair it must be 10 years since I used him.

Yes quite likely he has gone now, can't find him anywhere online.

 

[catalina1]

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 ?

 

[BacktoBoats]

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 ?

Possibly, but the tel number is unobtainable now.

 

[Never Grumble]

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]

Roger of Power Components was superb, a lovely chap and knew his stuff. As far as I know, he suffered badly from Covid and hasn't returned to work.
There's another chap based also on a farm in Hamble Country Park - Just Alternators and Starters, Just Alternators & Starter Motors - Repairing, reconditioning and servicing alternators and starter motors
And I've heard of this chap but not used him, Mr Alternator Man

 

[Refueler]

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]

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​

Home

 

[Trident]

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.

 

[oldharry]

Yes I live just down the road and checked yesterday, he has closed down. Pity, for all the good reasons listed above.

 

[andsarkit]

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​

Home

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.