Falco-
I just checked the electrical schematic for the boat as originally designed. There original voltage regulator was supplied power from the downstream side of the fuel pressure switch. You can test this switch with an ohm-meter. With the engine off (i.e., no pressure in the fuel system), you should get infinite resistence (an open). With the engine running (i.e., fuel lift pmp operating) the pressure switch will close and you should be able to measure negligible resistence. Also, with the original wiring, the gage panel lights should go on, and the water temp. gage, oil gage, and the water temp and low oil pressure alarms should have power with the engine running.
In addition, the voltage regulator should have 3 wires going from it to the alternator. The red wire should go to the reg. connection, the green wire should go to the field connection, and the black wire should go to the ground connection.
I would first check to see if power is getting to the field connection (green wire). You can do this with a volt meter. If you get no voltage reading at the alternator with the engine running, then your problem is likely with that conductor. The first thing I would check would be to see if this field circuit was/is wired through the battery on/off switch. The better on/off switches have a small switch within it that can be wired to the field circuit, which denergizes the field if the battery switch is turned to the off position. This prevents damage to the alternator if the on/off switch is inadvertantly switched to 'off' when the engine is running. On my boat, this switch wasn't wired in but it is now!!!
If you're sure the voltage regulator and the alternator works, and you are getting power to the field, you have a real dilemma. If you have the original single stage voltage regulator, I would replace it with a 3 stage regulator. I have a Balmer 3 stage regulator, and it's been great. The single stage regulators don't properly charge your batteries, and I would recommend the change regardless. If that doesn't fix the problem, then the only thing left is the alternator.
Jim Odyssey #191
_________________ Jim Voelxen Odyssey #191 Home Port: Osterville, MA
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