Alternators

[Neil_P]

Can anyone tell me the difference between a car alternator and a boat alternator? That is if there is a difference. The only difference I can find so far is the price.

Cheers

Neil

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[MainlySteam]

Many marine alternators have their frame insulated from the dc negative and may not include a regulator. Neither of which are common with car alternators as far as I know.

Larger automotive alternators (100+ amp @ 12v), such as are used on emergency vehicles with high electrical loads eg fire engines, often do have their frames isolated and may not include a regulator and are commonly used in marine use (service battery charging and starting battery charging if engine is large, say, 500+ hp).

Some marine alternators may also be constructed as safe in explosive atmospheres but not common in pleasure vessels (but may be in petrol fuelled craft, which I have no exposure to at all - and long may it remain that way).

Alternatively your alternator may be exactly the same as that on a car engine, especially if the engine is older and small.

John

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[muchy_]

The alternator on my boat is a standard Lucas 100amp as far as I can tell!!!

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