Best Place to Get Replacement Volvo Alternator?

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Rich_S

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Hi,
anyone recommend somewhere that supplies marine alternators for less than typical 'marine' prices?

Thanks.............Rich
 
My last boat had Volvo Ad41s and I had a standard car alternator fitted.

they are not earth isolated but this is easily overcome with an earth wire.
(as long as your engineer knows where to connect it to (ignition live circuit on negative side).

cost including fitting for a brand new 55amp alt was £45.
 
Its not a good idea to fit a non insulated earth return alternator to a system that was designed to use one, volvo, cat, perkins sabre all use this type for a reason.

The reason is to minimise fire risk as its the marine environment this is necessary, if you fit a normal non insulated type and have a problem with the wiring or the alternator its goodbye engine wiring loom and probably the rest of the boat!, you have been warned, they dont just fit them for fun or to make it harder on your pocket.
So next time you need one fit the correct type, I know there twice the price but im sure your insurance excess is more!.
 
As hlb says, consider taking it to a specialist for repair. I had my Volvo alternator repaired by an alternator/starter motor specialist in Weymouth some years ago at a very reasonable cost.
 
Waiting for the bloody Volsplutter parts, apparently coming from france (engine mounts £1000) Oh the bell housing was £800 so I am told.

Never mind, theres now a claim going in for valeting as well.
 
Just gone through this Scenario so here goes.
Alt (paris rhone) split diode return earth.
Knackered I thought and a bugger to get of My TAMD30 in an old 27 Nimbus.
Had lots of imput from the Forum ref the Wiring etc etc.
Twas about early 05 when the trouble started.
Anyway I removed the Gadgett and popped it into the Local Alt Car fixing place.
Nowt wrong with it they said, stuck it back on, even more difficult!
By the third Time!
They fixed summat on it and Bingo we had 14.2 volts again Great.
Water got in and it was knackered again this Year, early Sept.
Took it back again and they "Fixed" it again.
Ran for 7 hours and Stone The Crows no charging again.
In the meantime I found a Replacement off Coastal Rides for £169 + the Vodka and Tonic.
But--- the replacement (Valeo) did not have the split diode arrangement.
No prob, checked that part out on the Paris Rhone little beggar and it tested OK so iI stuck it on the Valeo.
So far so good it is working fine.
Some peeps reckon the Valeo is a load of Garbage, well at 169 plus the dreaded I thought it worth a Go.
Alt man reckons there is nowt wrong with My Paris Rhone.
He could be right.
I did find a poor earth wire in the system and My oil pressure switch wire had come adrift.
It is so hard to change the Alt on Me Nimby I just stuck the new one on.
Next time My boat is ashore I am going to relocate the bleedin thing, the Alt I mean!
None of the connectios, or the Pivot bolt are visible in the eng bay.
I literally get bruised removing and fitting the Damm thing.
I have to wire it up by Brail.
Snot Funny.
So there We are.
Friggin lectrics
 
Me to have Valeo alternators, one diode pack packed up!
Took it to an alternator/starter motor specialist and had a new diode pack and bearings done for £65!
Took them a while to track down the diode pack though (2 days!)
 
Def worth getting it along to your local auto fix it rebuild workshop.They will of course by now realise that they can charge a bit extra for "marine" products and you may have to pay a bit over the odds compared to a standard car alternator,but still cheaper than Volvo.Had my alternator fixed about 4 years ago it cost around £140.00 pounds but its still happly working away today.
 
Thanks for all responses so far!

I'm going to fit a Sterling regulator and although my existing Paris Rhone works fine it has been 'repaired' in the past and has a little extra box stuck on the side with silicon sealant. I thought it might be a good idea to start afresh but if the Valeo unit isn't brilliant I may take the existing unit to repair shop. They could also solder the wires to the brushes to check the regulator polarity perhaps.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Rich
 
I have AD31s and replaced an alternator with one from a commercial motor factor but it was exactly the same unit that the VP dealer had fitted to the other engine. The engines are 1989 31s (i.e. "a"). Should this have insulated units?
 
£65 seems to be a standard charge to make em charge!
Why I stuck a new un on in the end was the hassle.

In all I made 6 trips to the alt man, cos it was baffling them.
So although on the last visit they told me the alt was ok I stuck the new one on with the split diode pack off the old one.


Yep V paul, mine has a separate black earth.
 
I'm not near my boat at the moment but have checked photos on my PC; the replacement alternator has an earth connection which has black leads conected to it. Is that OK then?
 
A good man put me on to these people. DFJ Autos 01772 705833. No connection (excuse the pun) Just needed the alternator. Spark protected Valeo unit new, no exchange which was just as well as mine was brine soaked. £145 inc carraige? Could not get anywhere near it. This was identical to the original Volvo supplied unit.
 
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