Is my engine dead?

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gavin400

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The dynastart (which I believe is a combined starter motor and alternator?) on my Volvo MD1 has given up the ghost.

My engineer says that manufacture of spares ceased 10 years ago.

The engine can be started by hand cranking, but this is not very convenient, especially single handed.

The question is - can an alternative starter motor and alternator be fitted, or am I destined to hand crank for the remainder of the engines life?

Many thanks.

Gavin
 
a quick websearch "volvo dynastart" reveals that there seem to be a number of spare units around.

Have you a part or model number for the unit pls ?
 
would consider looking up one of those places that does alternator / starter motor rewinds /repairs - would suggest turning up with it if not too far as the receptionist may just say don't do them etc (or better still find a small company doing it) - they tend to be better for more "unusual" things like dynostarts
 
gavin400 said:
The dynastart (which I believe is a combined starter motor and alternator?) on my Volvo MD1 has given up the ghost.

My engineer says that manufacture of spares ceased 10 years ago.

The engine can be started by hand cranking, but this is not very convenient, especially single handed.

The question is - can an alternative starter motor and alternator be fitted, or am I destined to hand crank for the remainder of the engines life?

Many thanks.

Gavin
Click to expand...
The dyna start is a pretty robust, simple bit of kit. I bet it is the brushes that are worn, easy enough to get some of a similar size and shape to size.
Stu
 
To your specific question, lots of boat refit accounts I've read include "replaced the <adjective-of-choice> dynastart with separate alternator and starter motor". So it probably is possible. But it'll be easier to get the unit you have repaired if it can be, so look into that first.

Pete
 
sarabande said:
a quick websearch "volvo dynastart" reveals that there seem to be a number of spare units around.

Have you a part or model number for the unit pls ?
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the help - will look for a model/part number when I'm at the boat next.

gavin
 
May not be the Dynastart, might be the regulator. Both the starter and reg are rather dear units to purchase, I reccomend that you remove both and take to a good auto electrical workshop who will be able to test as fitted to your boat. Durite sell the regulators , coils brushes and bearings are still obtainable.

Also it is not an alternator but a dc generator, bit old fashioned by modern standards, but will give a longer life in my experience to batterys, as its output voltage is regulated slightly higher than a standard alternator.
 
Volvo Md1 dynostart

I bought one of these new about six years ago from my local auto electrical engineer and do not believe it was either a rare beast or special order.
 
Seems to be well covered by the above answers. Just one point, I had a Styr Puch Haflinger and was warned that Dynastart brushes are quite different in material to generator ones. So make sure the fixers know their stuff and are not just filing some odd bits to fit.
A
 
If your location is near to Botley in Hampshire there is a company called Just Starters and Alternators who repair and recondition these items and I'm sure either have a replacement in stock or the facilities to repair yours,and not at the usual marine inflated prices.

I used to have an MD1B Volvo and tried to find the kit to fit the alternator using the Dynastart only for starting. The problem was to get the right sized pulley for the required revs for the alternator, which got its drive from the main drive belt on the flywheel.
I believe that one alternative was to have a second small pulley in the centre of the flywheel with a separate belt.
On an already low powered 7.5hp engine this would reduce the power even more I suspect.
I had other engine problems which eventually meant the engine was replaced by a VP2010 which has behaved impeccably(touch wood) and is without dynastart or that thumping great flywheel!

ianat182

Edit: the company name is Donovan Auto Electrics who are on the net as www.auto.electrics.co.uk
and ,if you care to search for a thread started by Mike artemis dated 29.08.2010 there is useful info in the thread.
 
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It is worth bearing in mind that the engine is 50?years old and parts are difficult to source so you may want to watch what you spend .
 
Thanks for all the help.

Spent most of yesterday removing the dynastart from the boat - extremely difficult to get at the bolts, and broke the cast bracket holding the dynastart to the engine!

Will now take it to an auto electrician to get it checked over - it spins readily by hand so its not jammed, am now wondering if the unit is ok and it may be an electrical problem?


Gavin
 
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