Weird charging problem. Or maybe not?

[Refueler]

Maybe the village idiot could, but I've sailed with intelligent people who couldn't. My last boss, an extremely competent deputy director of finance for a large NHS trust, freely admitted that, with a screwdriver in his hand, he became a public danger.

I have a pal like that ... extremely intelligent .... but woe betide any car that becomes his !!

I lent him a car for about 7 - 8 months. Opel Zafira .... with the strict instruction that he was NOT to try and fix anything on it ... any fault etc - call me and I'll get it fixed by Car service ... he laughed and agreed !!

I got car back .. ignition key unit in steering falls out now if not careful. There are now two Fobs needed and two keys needed ... one key to lock door - other key to start engine ... one fob to remote lock car, other fob to remotely unlock car ...
Basically according to him - the ignition unit came out of steering and he lost it walking away from car ... reckons it must have been on the key and fell off !
He got another ignition unit and tried fitting it himself ... so now I have the above mess !!

 

[Shaz77]

It’s a Yanmar 1GM10 engine. Not sure of the make of the alternator, but is going to be something pretty basic. I’ll be back on board in a day or two with a meter and see what I can deduce. I’m pretty ignorant of electrics. Is the diode board inside the alternator or external?

Hi a 1GM alternator is £80 new on ebay and £50 second hand. Just Google Yanmar 1GM alternator and have a look for yourself. Cheers

 

[Shaz77]

Judging from the amount of "salt environment" comments you make, you must really have a damp/wet/smelly boat.

A boat alternator is in a nice warm engine compartment, away from salt spray. A car alternator is under the bonnet, out in the fresh air, exposed to the weather and road grit spray.

The regulator/brush holder on a typical alternator is held on with 2 screws. The local village idiot could check them/change them.

Sorry but not worth a reply. As usual you are trying to provoke a response and I think the moderator should deal with these deliberate insults.

 

[Skipper Felice]

Circuit test meter thingys arrrr cheap these days.

I have one aboard, and another at home.
Buy one and keep it on board

£8.65 for a digital.multi.meter on amazon. If thats too much you could probably get them cheaper elsewhere.

Do not buy this 9.99 xyz cheep things - get you a reliable, good and quality multimeter: It is very valuable for many things on board and all electrical mesurements: With 30 euros you will be very ok and it will last for years ...