rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

[Dhadley]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

What you see is not uncommon. Your posts about a wacky tach and the motor not charging is a good clue that something was going wrong.

The reg/rect is water cooled. If the block doesn't fill completely with water the reg/rect will overheat and eventually overheat. The reg/rect does not cool in air, it has to have water in contact with it. And yes, that fire you had will eventually result.

If a block is trapping air at the top like yours is we add a vent to those blocks to avoid a repete situation. We add a T at the highest point in the water passages at the top of the block just in front of the starboard head and connect into the overboard indicator. That will allow the air to escape and the reg/rect is now cooling in water.

 

[oxbeast1210]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Cool. Do you have a more detailed post. Possibly
With pictures so I can add the vent to
Mine? The regulators are not cheap and
I'm worried about a repeat.
Thank you.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Use "Gasket Sealer" on the gasket. Comes in a can that has a brush attached to its screw off cap.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Are your battery cables fastened with wing nuts or stainless steel hex-nuts with lockwashers?

Loose or corroded connections are the biggest culprit in damaging the regulator-rectifiers due to the high voltage spikes that can occur.

 

[oxbeast1210]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

no i no longer use wing nuts but i do need to replace my negative cable
its very corroded where it is attached to the motor


Does anyone know what size socket i need to remover the nut on the top of the flywheel? im at work and want to stop by the store before heading home
thanks!

 

[Will Bark]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

My 1987 150 Johnson takes a 1 1/4" thin wall socket to remove the nut; you will also need a strap wrench or a strong friend to hold the flywheel while you remove the nut.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

One comment: it's VERY EASY to fry a regulator/rectifier ... just remove or loosen either the + or - battery connection, or otherwise open circuit the electrical system of a running motor.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

My 1987 150 Johnson takes a 1 1/4" thin wall socket to remove the nut; you will also need a strap wrench or a strong friend to hold the flywheel while you remove the nut.

Or a flywheel turner for < $20. Also makes torquing the nut easy on re-assembly.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Or a flywheel turner for < $20. Also makes torquing the nut easy on re-assembly.

Where does one come by that tool? I've not seen it in auto parts stores.

 

[oxbeast1210]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Yea please let me know where I can buy one so I can
Get My flywheel back on
Thanks

 

[wilde1j]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

NAPA stores can order if not in stock, Ebay, various on-line sources. I've had one for over 30 years and it's the only way to hold flywheels on larger motors with high torque needs.

Don't know how good this is, but the price is right:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CAL-...Z310265456070QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[oxbeast1210]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Hey guys thanks alot for helping me through this process i was able to remove the flywheel today thais how can I achieve the required amount of torque when i put the flywheel banks to all your advice i didn't break anything and it was relatively painless tightened the harmonic puller till we couldn't really tighten anymore and then hit it twice with a rubber mallet wast even had since i was scared of messing it up and it popped right off it was recommended that i use gasket sealer what type do you recommend that that i could get locally ?

my other question ck on? and is there any tips to keeping the key aligned properly?
thank you

 

[wilde1j]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Gasket sealer on what? The flywheel taper, crankshaft and threads are all clean and dry only. Torque to value shown in OEM shop manual.

 

[oxbeast1210]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

Sealer on the gasket for the water cooled regulator

 

[wilde1j]

Re: rectifier caught fire 5 min ago!! what to do?

That's fine.