Water Colled Voltage Regulator

[bhammer]

Hi all,

83 merc 470/170hp. What is the water cooled voltage regulator for? I have seen many posts about this giving problems and the $$$ to replace it new. Is this soley for the charging system and if an upgrade to an altenator is done, do I need it? I have ordered a manual for this engine to read up and learn.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

Yes, it is only for the charging system. If you were to upgrade with one of the aftermarket kits, which would include an alternator with a built in regulator, the original water cooled regulator would not be used.

Here's an example of a complete kit. 170 Conversion Kit

 

[bhammer]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

Thanks for the info. I plan to do the upgrade. Cheap insurance than being stuck in the water.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

myself? I would simply maintain and run the OEM charging system until it failed, if it fails.
some did some did not as other things failed first.
its a rather pricey conversion and the worst thats going to happen is your going to look at the voltmeter oneday and realize its only showing battery voltage. from there an average sized battery in decent shape will continue for many hours of run time.

 

[rndn]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

Welcome to the forum BHammer!!

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

myself? I would simply maintain and run the OEM charging system until it failed, if it fails.
some did some did not as other things failed first.
its a rather pricey conversion and the worst thats going to happen is your going to look at the voltmeter oneday and realize its only showing battery voltage. from there an average sized battery in decent shape will continue for many hours of run time.

I agree with rodbolt. It's hard to fix something that ain't broke.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

I would simply maintain and run the OEM ...

And when it does fail, I know a guy in Central FL that would sell the regulator to you for $150. It's used, but it works. (and he'd even throw in the complete motor too!)

 

[bhammer]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

Thanks guys for the feedback. The only concern is the fact of being stuck with a dead battery out in the middle of the water.

I suppose with a good battery and an hour or so of runtime if a failure occurs, that's good enough to get back to the trailer.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

one of the biggest causes of regulator failure is loose wingnuts and bad battery cable connections, with the occasional loose nut behind the helm.

 

[Coors]

Re: Water Colled Voltage Regulator

I always have a spare battery on-board.