Alternator repair- Central Birmingham

[Gingers Girl]

Hi folks....

 

Need a bit of advice from someone please.

 

It appears that our alternator is on the blink. OH suspects it's the regulator - constantly charging at a solid 16 volts. It used to charge to a maximum of 14.3 volts. The question is.... Does anyone of an auto electrician that services/ reconditions alternators. At the moment we've just moored in central Birmingham and plan to be here a few days.

 

We're unsure of the make of alternator as there's no external reference. However external documentation says 80 amp Prestolite.

 

Oh can fit himself... Just need the part!!!

 

Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

May not be able to respond immediately to Any posts... But will check when we can

 

Cheers

 

Ps have visited Sherbourne wharfe who supplied a number for a guy in Dudley bit would prefer someone nearer if anyone knows of someone.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Gingers Girl

[Odana]

There is someone in Handsworth (a taxi ride away) who does it - I don't recall name but this may jog someone else's memory...

[Gingers Girl]

Thank you... Hopefully someone may remember.. Off to bed now. Will check again on the morning.

[Horace42]

What part do you want. Alternator,? Regulator?. Both?

Are you sure this is the problem.

High voltage you say.

Is there a high charging current as well?

Are the batteries getting warn/hot by overcharging?

Could be bad connection in the wiring. Loose terminal. Corrosion.

Have you checked this out?

[Gingers Girl]

Good morning Horace 42 and thanks for replying.

 

The batteries are getting exceedingly hot and gassing. Had to top up batteries twice since coming up Wolverhampton 2 days ago. OH almost certain it's the regulator.

 

Thank you for your help.

[Alan de Enfield]

Just for consideration (and maybe a bit 'stable door') :

 

It may be worth buying a new alternator (plenty of places sell them, you don't need to find a repair centre), continue your cruise, when you have time, or it is convenient get old one repaired and then you have a spare.

 

I try and carry spares for anything 'minor' (ie not spare crank, or pistons etc) that may interrupt our ability to keep going.

This includes things like :

Sufficient oil for a complete change.

Oil filters

Several sets of fuel filters (need more than one set if you get 'bugged')

Fan belt

Starter motor

Alternator

An Injector

Raw water pump

Impellor

Fuel lift pump

Various hoses and pipes

Bilge pump

Domestic water pump

Other 'bits and bobs'

 

Even if you are unable to fit them yourself, having them (particularly if you have an 'unusual' engine) means that the guy coming to 'get you goin'g is not going to be trying to source parts on a 'Saturday night'

[Tacet]

Try Vehicle Electrics at 166 Stockfield Rd, Birmingham B27 6AU, Phone:0121 706 0688. Google says it might be closed - but I'm not sure it is.

 

Its walkable from either Tyseley or Acocks Green stations - so easily accessible from central Birmingham. Even closer to the Birmingham & Fazeley.

 

[Horace42]

Good morning Horace 42 and thanks for replying.

 

The batteries are getting exceedingly hot and gassing. Had to top up batteries twice since coming up Wolverhampton 2 days ago. OH almost certain it's the regulator.

 

Thank you for your help.

 

Good morning to you. Yes, it sounds like a voltage control problem and probably the regulator as you say, but it could be something as simple as a poor connection on the sensor terminal.

 

It depends on the make/type of alternator. They all have some sort of regulator with a sensor terminal that is connected to measure the output voltage. Some, like in cars, where the battery is only a few inches away they connect internally (inside the alternator) where volts drop in the short power cable is negligible - so it makes little difference overall), whereas for boats, where the batteries could be a long way from the engine, where the volts drop could be quite high (especially if passing through a blocking diode), you need the correct voltage at the battery, so they have an external sensor wire that connects to the far end of the power cable at the battery terminal to make sure the voltage is high enough to charge.

 

The fact that your batteries get hot is a clear sign that the alternator is working. But with a loose/broken sensor wire, there is no feedback and the output voltage goes up unregulated - but relatively easy to check out the external cable and joints - and fix - and it must be fixed - because if you change the alternator (because of an assumed internal regulator fault) - the new one might not solve the problem.

 

Good luck.

[Gingers Girl]

Many thank Horace and all who responded. Had a busy day here today as we had visitors including our 3 year old grand daughter so didn't get much done, however we have found out that there is an auto electrician in Digbeth which OH will visit, after he has also double checked the sense wire that you mentioned.

 

So grateful for all your input.

 

And BTW, we have most supplies with us, including the kitchen sink... Just didn't have alternator!!

 

Thank you all again.

 

Happy days!

[Mike Todd]

Ask orph at oxley

[Sir Nibble]

 

Good morning to you. Yes, it sounds like a voltage control problem and probably the regulator as you say, but it could be something as simple as a poor connection on the sensor terminal.

 

It depends on the make/type of alternator. They all have some sort of regulator with a sensor terminal that is connected to measure the output voltage. Some, like in cars, where the battery is only a few inches away they connect internally (inside the alternator) where volts drop in the short power cable is negligible - so it makes little difference overall), whereas for boats, where the batteries could be a long way from the engine, where the volts drop could be quite high (especially if passing through a blocking diode), you need the correct voltage at the battery, so they have an external sensor wire that connects to the far end of the power cable at the battery terminal to make sure the voltage is high enough to charge.

 

The fact that your batteries get hot is a clear sign that the alternator is working. But with a loose/broken sensor wire, there is no feedback and the output voltage goes up unregulated - but relatively easy to check out the external cable and joints - and fix - and it must be fixed - because if you change the alternator (because of an assumed internal regulator fault) - the new one might not solve the problem.

 

Good luck.

break that connection on most machine sensed alternators and it will stop charging. Others will either stop or default to a lower voltage.

[Horace42]

break that connection on most machine sensed alternators and it will stop charging. Others will either stop or default to a lower voltage.

 

I do not know if this is a 'modern' alternator, so to say with any certainty I would need a circuit diagram of the alternator or control circuit in question.

But if you say there would be no voltage if the sensor wire was broken - then we are looking for a high resistance in the sensor wire somewhere (corroded joint at the battery maybe). Where there is a possibility that the sensor wire might follow a devious route via the ignition switch and charging light circuit.

 

It is difficult to say if this is the reason for failure here - but it is so easy to check out - just to make sure it is not the problem.

 

There is no need to get involved in tracing cable routes and harnesses, or use complex voltmeter testing, because an easy way to tell is to take a separate length of small bore wire and connect it between the alternator sensor terminal and the battery terminal. This will by-pass all the existing wiring and bad joints - which if the cause - the battery voltage will drop to the correct level.

 

If it does not, then at least you have eliminated it as a possibility and narrowed it down to a problem with the regulator - which might be a 'stand-alone' device or built-in the 'alternator'.

[Sir Nibble]

Tell you what, post a picture of the alternator and if I can identify it I will post you a regulator.

[Alan de Enfield]

Tell you what, post a picture of the alternator and if I can identify it I will post you a regulator.

 

You couldn't ask for a better offer than that.

 

Good man !!!! Greeno.

[Ian Mac]

Cable St Wolverhampton, there is a place right next to the canal, on the towpath side who test and rebuild alternators.

Walk up the ramp and turn right you go down the road you come to a set of industrial units on the right, I think it was the second shed. They sorted us out no problem, rebuilt the alternator. Can't remember their name.

--

cheers Ian Mac

[Gingers Girl]

Now then... The alternator has been and serviced. The problem was identified as the regulator- all credit to Carr Electrical Services Ltd of Upper Trinity Street, Digbeth. OH walked there (30 minute walk from Cambrian Wharf) and all thanks to Chris for turning it around in the day!

 

But thanks also to you readers for your help and suggestions.

 

Happily heading on our way again tomorrow to Catherine de Barnes.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Gingers Girl