Volt gauge pegging high

[Redrig]

Hello all,

A few weeks ago as I was winterizing my boat , I noticed that a good portion of the time that I had it running my Volt gauge was maxxed out all the way to the high side . It was doing this at both idle speed and about 1000 RPM .


This is on a 77 stringer with a ford 302 , I beleive its a prestolite alternator with a external regulator.

Unfortunately I didnt have a DVOM with me at the time to verify that it was indeed maxing out at the battery , but I recently installed a full set of brand new Faria gauges 2 years ago , so I would think it was accurate and something is on its way out.

This got me thinking , if I have an alternator issue I can of course have mine rebuilt or buy a similar one ,

But is there an alternaltor upgrade that I can do ? get more AMPS for my electronics , better charging , ect .

could I swap in a new alternator from a newer boat with more output into my old school engine set up ? I have done a similar upgrade on my Bronco and it was a great upgrade (ford 2g > ford 3g 160amp) anything similar out there ?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and ideas.

 

[bruceb58]

Assuming the voltage gauge is correct, no sense rebuilding the alternator or replacing that regulator. Need to just get a newer style alternator with a built in regulator.

 

[Redrig]

Assuming the voltage gauge is correct, no sense rebuilding the alternator or replacing that regulator. Need to just get a newer style alternator with a built in regulator.

Thanks Bruce , do you by chance have a model number or anything for a newer style alternator ? is there one that is basically a drop in replacement for the older models ?

 

[bruceb58]

The biggest problem is to match up the mount. If you get an alternator like a Mando style, all you need is a connection to it from your ignition to it's excite terminal and a connection from the sense to the alternator output.

 

[Fun Times]

Hi there, looks like your original part numbers were at one time 383443 981186 OMC Chevy V8 Stringer Marine Prestolite Alternator 383443, 981186, 0383443, 0981186, 985964, "0985964" or aftermarket #'s 40152 by Arco Marine and sierra # 18-5951.

Originally it looks to have been an 34 amp while the aftermarkets are up to 61 & 68 amps.

The remanufactured Arco is rated at 61 amps and the re-man sierra is 68 amps.

http://www.iboats.com/OMC-Sterndriv...1538666--session_id.033689666--view_id.270144

By the way, from my own personal experience of installing one for a friend, I wouldn't recommend the low cost alternators found on eBay by Delco, it didn't last through a memorial weekend due to mechanically breaking internally .
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk....m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0&_nkw=18-5951&_sacat=0

Is 68 Amps what you're looking for or higher?

 

[Redrig]

Yeah I definitely won't be adding a cheap one , the boat is the last place I skimp and try to save a few bucks .

Wow the stock only puts out 34 amps ? Yeah I will try to increase that , not that I need a huge one , but that seems like a good item to upgrade once the stock unit goes out .

Is there a benefit of a 3 wire vs a 1 wire alternator ? Wiring doesn't bother me , actually I am going to upgrade my ground and main hot wire anyways with 4 gauge welding wire in the spring. My curretn wires have corrosion on the ends.

Thanks again