Hi, I've been lurking on these forums for years, and the topics have always been so useful. However, now I have something new (maybe).
1996 Wellcraft 21SL with Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Gen 2: The issue is my alternator and charging (or not).
I put my 3 year old battery in it, ran out on Lake Erie/Sandusky Bay all yesterday; many stops, starts, runs great. However, according to the dashboard voltage indicator, my alternator is outputting 11 volts (idle, WOT, always 11). I was expecting closer to 12-14.
So, today I took a look and some measurements of my alternator; 3 wires, purple, red and orange. First thing to note: Orange wire is broken.
Using my multimeter, with ground to engine block:
Purple wire, with key turned but engine not started: 10V (more or less)
Red wire, engine running (1500 rpm): 11V
Orange wire, engine running (1500 rpm): If I touch the orange wire to its broken half (I assume the output block), then voltage on the dash indicator moves up to 14.
At first glance, it seems to me that I just need to reconnect my orange wire. I understand it is used to charge the batteries, and so initially, I would expect it to output a higher voltage and 14 seems reasonable. But two other things happen with I touch/connect the orange wire to the alternator (1) The alternator starts to squeal, and (2) the orange wire get so hot after a few seconds that I can't hold it anymore.
Do I need a new alternator?
If the orange wire is disconnected, that means my batteries are not re-charging (but they always seem to be ok)? Maybe I haven't driven the boat often enough to suffer from lack of charging?
I think the orange wire gets so hot that is melts/weakens the connection to the alternator? What would cause that?
Any insight would be very much appreciated.
Bob
1996 Wellcraft 21SL with Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Gen 2: The issue is my alternator and charging (or not).
I put my 3 year old battery in it, ran out on Lake Erie/Sandusky Bay all yesterday; many stops, starts, runs great. However, according to the dashboard voltage indicator, my alternator is outputting 11 volts (idle, WOT, always 11). I was expecting closer to 12-14.
So, today I took a look and some measurements of my alternator; 3 wires, purple, red and orange. First thing to note: Orange wire is broken.
Using my multimeter, with ground to engine block:
Purple wire, with key turned but engine not started: 10V (more or less)
Red wire, engine running (1500 rpm): 11V
Orange wire, engine running (1500 rpm): If I touch the orange wire to its broken half (I assume the output block), then voltage on the dash indicator moves up to 14.
At first glance, it seems to me that I just need to reconnect my orange wire. I understand it is used to charge the batteries, and so initially, I would expect it to output a higher voltage and 14 seems reasonable. But two other things happen with I touch/connect the orange wire to the alternator (1) The alternator starts to squeal, and (2) the orange wire get so hot after a few seconds that I can't hold it anymore.
Do I need a new alternator?
If the orange wire is disconnected, that means my batteries are not re-charging (but they always seem to be ok)? Maybe I haven't driven the boat often enough to suffer from lack of charging?
I think the orange wire gets so hot that is melts/weakens the connection to the alternator? What would cause that?
Any insight would be very much appreciated.
Bob