Merc 650 Alternator ????

[robpoe]

I have a '68 Merc 650 outboard. According to Oldmercs.com it COULD have an alternator. According to the site, whether or not it has one has to do with the model #. I have the SERIAL # but cannot find the Model # anywhere.<br /><br />How do I figure out whether the thing does or does not have an alternator.<br /><br />I *DO* have a tach output on the control box and the old boat it was in, the tach functioned correctly (or so it seemed).<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Merc 650 Alternator ????

The only ones that didn't have one had a magneto built into the distributor. I'm not sure if the 4-cylinder 650s used that in the earliest years or not. If you have a triple, it definately has an alternator.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Merc 650 Alternator ????

Willy is right most mag engines came with no alternator, but it was avaiable sa an option, just look up under the flywheel if there is a stator winding it is for a alt. it should have 2 yellow wires going to the rectifier---Bob

 

[riverrat62]

Re: Merc 650 Alternator ????

I've Got a 69, 650 Merc. It has a stator (had to replace it), yours should too.

 

[robpoe]

Re: Merc 650 Alternator ????

I looked at it tonight, it DOES have two yellow wires coming out from under the flywheel (and I looked up in there, and can see a nice shiny copper wrapped wire (that is still a nice copper color!!) stator under there. <br /><br />I've seen other posts that talk about if you have a short somewhere the rectifier is the first thing to go. I'd imagine I qualify here, as all of the wires (well, most) in the control box had no insulation - and were green (ewww!).<br /><br />I'm not about to spend the $250 right now for the mercury wiring harness, unless I find bad wires all the way up the cable. I'm planning on hacking into it, bypassing the control box and mounting the key / choke start lever / etc on the dash. I'm still deciding on whether I'm going to hook up the neutral safety switch .. and/or put in a lanyard.. (probably WILL).<br /><br />Quick thought though. Once the power leaves the rectifier does it enter the battery through the large cables or is there supposed to be another wire somwhere?<br /><br />I'm planning on re-working the wiring so that I draw very little power through the actual Merc harness - due to it's age..<br /><br />thoughts?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Merc 650 Alternator ????

It goes thru the red wire to the solinoid, into the main battery cables to the batt. If you have any continuety between the yellow wires the stator should be OK. the rectifirer may be ck with a ohm meter, depends which one the engine has on it desribe it and we can tell you how to test it or hook a voltmeter to the battery and see if the volts increase when you start the engine---Bob