Engine stopped charging

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nimrod1230

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Left port, engine charging fine, sailed home and on starting the engine to negotiate the moorings the battery light stayed on and no rev counter! This has happened in the past and a quick unscrew of the lamp holder and retighten gets it all working again but not this time so where do I start to search for a solution bearing in mind I am totally useless with anything electical!! Call in an expert, sink the lot in deep water or is there a simple way to check for faults? Thanks for any help. Terry.
 
Remove alternator, take it ashore and get it checked. If faulty you have your answer, if it is ok you know one thing it is not, and whst to start checking for.

Brian
 
First check that the alternator belt is drivng the alternator. On a Moody 36 the rev counter is usually driven electrically from the alternator so if the alternator is not turning the rev counter will read zero and the charging light will stay on.
Regards.
 
Check all the wiring for loose or corroded connections to both the alternator and regulator. They may be all in one. Check also connections at the ignition switch. Then take off the alternator for bench testing. good luck olewill
 
Tired and fed up when posted last night! A little more detail which I should have included. The buzzer failed a couple of weeks ago and the recommended replacement from Beta neither fitted nor gave a decent sound warning so I sourced a replacement from Maplins and fitted along with a stealth switch ( for those early am starts when the buzzer is so, so loud ). This all appeared to work fine and I motored 3 hours without incident. Could my interference have caused the non charging problem or just be coincidence? The engine was replaced in 01 and has 480 hours. All the wiring looks new and the belt is driving OK. All connections are tight, appear clean and are protected with WD40. In the past when the charge light has remained on it has been the indicator bulb having some corrosion causing the problem but over the last couple of years I have been carefull to keep the bulb and holder as clean as possible and protect again with WD40. When the light failed to extinguish the rev counter also failed to work. That rather long winded addition completes the story to date! Over to you experts. Thanks, Terry.
 
there are 4 diods inside the alternator that are damaged or the coil is burned.

check the alternator in car electric shop.
it happened to me as well.
 
I had something similar on a VP 2003 a few weeks ago. The pivot bolt holding the alternator to the block snapped, so the drive belt slipped, therefore no rev counter and the charge light stayed on.
 
[ QUOTE ]
battery light stayed on and no rev counter! This has happened in the past and a quick unscrew of the lamp holder and retighten gets it all working again

[/ QUOTE ] That's an odd combination. If the lamp is not making contact fair enough the alternator wont start generating BUT the lamp won't light either!



If the lamp is lit but the alternator is not charging it could be any of several things

Check all the belt and external connections as suggested then take the alternator to an auto electrician and get it tested/repaired. If it is OK then you have peace of mind regarding the alternator and can start looking at the external circuits.

Do check the bulb if it is not lit when you switch on.

I wonder if you have a short to earth on the bulb wiring between the bulb and the alternator. That will light the bulb AND stop the alternator from generating! To check disconnect the warning light connection from the alternator (engine not running ) and see if the bulb still lights. If it does then thats the trouble.
 
Well to finish this story. Had the alternator checked and pronounced OK. Cleaned and refitted wires, new belt and hey, it now charges better than ever. Can only assume one of the connections was causing the problem and though delighted I would feel happier if I knew what the fix was! Thanks to all who replied. Terry
 
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