Alternator on E37
Date: July 20, 2001
From: Carl Hibbard Chgypsy@aol.com
Hi Paul,
We are up in the North Channel, presently in Gore Bay. Thought I'd take this opportunity to warn of a situation on our boats.
As you know I have an E37 with a Perkins engine and the Delco (GM) alternator. I do not know how many boats or what all sizes (or for that matter brands) that this would apply to.
I installed a larger output alternator, 85 Amp Delco. First nights anchorage was about 16 hrs, really ran one battery down quite well. Started engine next day, hit the battery switch to recharge the very low one, alternator did groan but no apparent problem.
OH Yeah There Was !
The engine to boat wiring harness connector shorted out and burned up the rubber due to the heat of the charging amperage. In my case there were three circuits effected. Long story short, no I didn't burn up the starter, just couldn't use neutral.
Suggest that anyone contemplating running a high output alternator run a #8 or even perhaps a #6 cable from the alternator output to the battery selector switch as a totally separate circuit, with its own connector.
Do not arbitrarily cut the harness indescriminately on the engine side. You will find a thin wire with many wraps wound into the harness from about the alternator to the rubber plug. This is the field circuit resistor for the alternator. If you do cut it up or out wire in a #194 or #168 bulb like a cars idiot light, but hide it somewhere.
