Boat electrics - advice please

[PhilT]

Took Seapride out today. Cruising along, everything going well.
Suddenly fishfinder alarms - high battery voltage; boat voltmeter confirmed reading off scale.

Returned home at low revs with all electrics off. Noticable that indicated voltage increased with engine reves, to >18v at about 1500.

I\'m thinking that the voltage regulator has failed. Am I right?

Is this likely to be in the back end of the alternator like in a car? I can\'t see anything else nearby which could be it.

If so, then I need to remove the alternator and have it replaced or refurbished, I assume.

In which case, does anyone have any tips for removing seized bolts that I don\'t already know? The upper bolt seems immovable (I can rock the engine on its mounts without shifting it). I\'ve given it a good soak in WD40, and I\'ll return on Monday with a LONG bar and a blowlamp (which I\'m reluctant to use as there are burnable rubber components nearby). Access isn\'t brilliant.

[Edited on 15/4/2006 by PhilT]

[KeithB]

This site might help Phil

http://www.canaljunction.com/boat/electric_problems.htm

If the WD40 doesn\'t work you could try plusgas

[KeithB]

and this one

http://www.tb-training.co.uk/

[Norman]

Aye Phil It`ll be the alternator ......... had same problem on last boat almost melted the battery (smelt a bit LOL )

I`m sure it`s fixable but much easier (peace of mind and all that just to replace the whole alternator - should be service exchange)

As for seized bolts ...... your already doing the right thing, soak it and walk away for a day or so (It`s not the soaking that helps it`s the calm down and re-think that usually sorts it) good luck mate

[kingfisher]

you can change the regulator with the alternator still in place it should be 2 bolts into the back where the wires go into (dissconect the battery)should be able to get a reg at lucas systems in the team vally

[PhilT]

Thanks chaps.

Finally got the stuck bolt out after about 4 hours of trying today. It responded to my second-last method of freeing stuck fasteners, whacking it round with a hammer and cold chisel. The non-threaded part of the bolt had actually seized within the tubular part of the alternator bracket. Need a new bolt of course. Haven\'t these damn Italians heard of Copperease?

The alternator\'s a Valeo (Nanni diesel is either a marinised Kubota or MAN). I\'ll be trying my local auto electrical dealers for a refurb or exchange. Past experiences with these people who refurbish alternators & starter motors (back in my 4x4 days) have been v. good.

[jason]

Phil there is a guy in hartlepool who refurbishes starter motors etc took my mates ford diesel starter motor to him and he had it appart and refurbished in 2 hours for about 20 quid - will try and get a number or address for you tomorrow.
Jason

[Codfather]

Hope you get it sorted Phil, sounds like you\'ve got it sussed.

Was out Saturday aswell, choka block going through the lock just about squeezed us all in

[PhilT]

Thanks, Jason, though I might have to try more locally. I used to live near Newark, I knew just the place there, similar kind of thing to your guy.

PS When my mother called and heard about he stuck bolt, she gave some advice - \"Have you tried swearing at it, dear?\"

[jason]

Give us a shout mate if you can not manage to sort locally - if you come up at the weekend and not sorted and the guy is closed leave it with me and I can pop it in there for you.
Nice to see yer mam is as helpful as mine.
Regards
Jason

[PhilT]

Thanks for the offer mate. I\'m awy this next weekend with the broomstick-and-bedsheet brigade in the Solent, but I\'ll let you know if I can\'t sort it before May Bank Holiday weekend.