Jump to content

Finding a Barrus replacement alternator


Featured Posts

Our domestic alternator has died and I am struggling to find a replacement. 

We have a Barrus Shire 40 engine with a 140A 12V alternator. I was going to just replace like for like but cant seem to find a supplier anywhere. The Barrus website is as good as useless. Are there any direct alternatives that would fit either new or overhauled? All help appreciated. Thanks

 

(as a side note, I checked the voltage coming out of it today and it was nothing so likely it is the alternator or elements of it)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Tony Brooks said:

Is the warning lamp illuminating, if not the alternator is probably not energising.

 

I just took my old alternator to a specialist and they supplied a new one with a slightly higher output.

Yes the warning light is on when the engine is running and there is no voltage coming from the alternator.

 

Can you recommend a specialist?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Ouse on Board? said:

Yes the warning light is on when the engine is running and there is no voltage coming from the alternator.

 

Can you recommend a specialist?

 

 

Not near Cambridge. If you are willing to travel or post then @Sir Nibble will probably sort it out.

 

Do a Google search for Starter & alternator repairs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ours - on  a Barrus Shire - died a few years ago near Wigan. RCR were likewise unable to source a replacement and organised a nearby commercial vehicle electrical specialist to attend, remove, take away and rewind. So that may be an option.

When they arrived, however, a man who knew his business diagnosed the alternator was not broke - grafted in some wiring because of corroded split charge relay and there have been no probs in the intervening ??decade.

Got to be a moral there somewhere ?.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, Ouse on Board? said:

Yes the warning light is on when the engine is running and there is no voltage coming from the alternator.

 

Can you recommend a specialist?

 

No voltage coming from the alternator.......... What is the voltage at the alternator output terminal?

  • Greenie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Although Google throws up a number of businesses in Cambridge that 'do' alternators none are what you call a specialist.

If you want someone to visit, diagnose and repair/replace then GOBA news has Great Ouse Boat Services 07472 630713 and Richard Poole 07775 745187

If you're prepared to remove it yourself and travel then you ought to be able to find a proper repairer. 

Edited by pearley
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Ouse on Board? said:

thats with the isolator off (so batteries disconnected). with the batteries connected it was 13.2 but no change between starting and stopping the engine. 

Ok, gotcha. Can you post a picture of the alternator? Any labels on it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Ouse on Board? said:

thats with the isolator off (so batteries disconnected). with the batteries connected it was 13.2 but no change between starting and stopping the engine. 

With the ignition on so the warning light is on, do you have any volts on the d+ terminal? Just to prove the excitation is getting there

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Ouse on Board? said:

thats with the isolator off (so batteries disconnected). with the batteries connected it was 13.2 but no change between starting and stopping the engine. 

 

That's not a conclusive test, running the engine with the isolator off is sometimes not advised so the boat wiring may well prevent the alternator from exciting (working) if the isolator is off.

 

The most common alternator failure is worn brushes, these are a semi-consumable component and are often easy or very easy to replace.

 

.............Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks all. In response to Ditchcrawler, there is nothing on the D+ terminal (see photo). I too thought it must need some form of excitation but perhaps being for the leisure batteries its in-built to the unit its self, self-excitation as it were?

 

DMR - I dont normally run it with the isolator off, I was just doing some testing as I needed to be sure that it wasn't battery voltage. I did it with the isolator on as well and as there was no spike when the engine started I made the assumption it wasnt producing any voltage, either from not exciting or just being knackard.

 

Sir Nibble-  I dont have a part number of the one we have because a bit of research has deduced that its no longer supported and had been uprated to a 150A version - part number RDG201102021 which I have found stockests of.

 

Lastly - the alternator was working fine, the last few times when I have started the boat I have had to "blip" the throttle to kick the alternator into life then its been fine, but the other day the warning light came on mid cruise making me think it is the alternator rather than wiring (although I'm still open to suggestions of other causes).

 

I have attached a picture and as you can see there are only 2 connections. Sorry for the quality and angle, I took it to see the label rather than an over-all image of the alternator but as you can see, nothing on D+. The contact with the small wire on is for the warning light and I'm not sure what the last contact is for. There are no signs of and snapped or damaged cables which may have vibrated off etc. I believe its always been like this. 

 

At the end of the day its a boat, and like all the other toys in the garage, I shall probably just throw money at it until the problem goes away!

 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts by the way.

alt.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Ouse on Board? said:

Thanks all. In response to Ditchcrawler, there is nothing on the D+ terminal (see photo). I too thought it must need some form of excitation but perhaps being for the leisure batteries its in-built to the unit its self, self-excitation as it were?

 

DMR - I dont normally run it with the isolator off, I was just doing some testing as I needed to be sure that it wasn't battery voltage. I did it with the isolator on as well and as there was no spike when the engine started I made the assumption it wasnt producing any voltage, either from not exciting or just being knackard.

 

Sir Nibble-  I dont have a part number of the one we have because a bit of research has deduced that its no longer supported and had been uprated to a 150A version - part number RDG201102021 which I have found stockests of.

 

Lastly - the alternator was working fine, the last few times when I have started the boat I have had to "blip" the throttle to kick the alternator into life then its been fine, but the other day the warning light came on mid cruise making me think it is the alternator rather than wiring (although I'm still open to suggestions of other causes).

 

I have attached a picture and as you can see there are only 2 connections. Sorry for the quality and angle, I took it to see the label rather than an over-all image of the alternator but as you can see, nothing on D+. The contact with the small wire on is for the warning light and I'm not sure what the last contact is for. There are no signs of and snapped or damaged cables which may have vibrated off etc. I believe its always been like this. 

 

At the end of the day its a boat, and like all the other toys in the garage, I shall probably just throw money at it until the problem goes away!

 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts by the way.

alt.jpg

First off, what's the voltage on the second terminal stud with no wire on to the north east of the main? Second, can I have a picture from further back so I can see the whole machine?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.