Installation manual
ALTERNATORS
TESTING/TROUBLESHOOTING
SEE
WIRING
DIAGRAM
FOR
WIRE
CONNECTIONS
TO
OPTIONAL
ALTERNATORS
EXCITER
-~~5'i~
TERMINAL
.J!
NOTE:
FOR
CORRECT
WIRING
HARNESS
CONNECTIONS
TO
THE
ALTERNATOR,
REFER
TO
THE
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
IN
THIS
MANUAL.
DESCRIPTION
The following
information
applies
to
the standard alternators
that
are
supplied
with
WESTERBEKE'S Marine Engines
and Marine
Generators.
ELECTRICAL
CHARGING
CIRCUIT
The charging
system
consists of an alternator
with
a voltage
regulator,
an
engine
DC
wiring harness, a
DC
circuit breaker
and a battery
with
connecting cable and
wires.
Because of
the use of integrated circuits
(Ie's), the electronic voltage
regulator
is
very
compact
and
is
mounted internally
or
on
the
.
back of
the
alternator.
It
is
desirable to
test
the
charging system (alternator and
voltage
regulator)
in the boat using the wiling harness and
electrical
loads
that
are
a permanent part of the
system.
In-boat testing
will
then
provide the technician with
an
operational test of
the
charging system
as
well
as
the major
components of
the
electrical
system.
ALTERNATOR
DESCRIPTION
111e
stator
is
connected
to a three-phase, full-wave bridge
rectifier
package
which
contains six diodes. The bridge
converts
the
AC
generated in the stator
to.
a
DC
output for
battery
charging
and
accessories such
as
a radio, heater,
lights,
refrigerator,
depth
sounder,
etc.
Power
to
the
regulator
and
the
field
of the integral regulator
alternator
is
provided
by
the
field diode (or diode trio)
package
contained
in
the
alternator.
These
alternators
produce a rated output of
50
or
51
amps.
Rated output
is
achieved
at approximately 6000 'altemator
rpm
at
an
ambient
temperature
of
75°P (23.8°C). The
alternators are
designed
to
operate
in
an
ambient temperature
range of
_40°
to
212'P
(-40°
to
100°C).
VOLTAGE
REGULATOR
The
integral
voltage
regulator
is
an
electronic
switching
device
which
senses
the
system
voltage
level
and
switches
the
voltage
applied
to
the
field
in
order
to
maintain a proper
system
voltage.
The regulator
design
utilizes
all-silicon
semi
conductors
and
thick-fihn
assembly
techniques.
After
the
voltage
has
been
adjusted
to
the
proper regulating
value,
the
entire circuit
is
encapsulated
to
protect
the circuit
and
the
components
from
possible
damage
due
to
handling
or
vibration
and
moisture
encountered
in
a
vessel.
ALTERNATOR
TROUBLESHOOTING
Use
this
troubleshooting section
to
determine
if
a
problem
exists
with
the
charging
circuit or
with
the
alternator.
If
it
is
determined
that
the
alternator
or
voltage
regulator
is
faulty,
have
a qualified
technician
checbt.
LOW
BATTERY/FAULTY
CIRCUIT
If
the
starter
only
moans
or
makes
a
clicking
sound
insiead
of
spinning
the
engine
to
life it
is
likely
a
low
battery
or
a
faulty
connection in
the
starting circuit
and
not
an
alternator
problem.
A
simple
test
is
to
try statting
again
with
a cabin
light
on, if
the
light
dims
significantly
or
goes
out,
the
battery
is
dead.
If
the
light remains
bright,
look for a poor connection
in
the
statting circuit.
A
WARNING:
A
working
alternator
runs
hot.
'a
failed
alternator
can
become
very
hot.
Do
not
touch
the
alternator
until
it
has
cooled.
,.
WESTERBEKE
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&
G~,?_erators
31