Engine charge light & blower

[palacegrand]

Hi Folks,
Having some electrical issues at the moment.
Yamaha 30, Yanmar YSM 12, up front under the v-berth model.
Charging light sometimes staying on, though my onboard voltmeter tells me alternator is charging. (Might be less than 14 volts though, hard to tell and haven't put my portable meter on it yet)
Trying to work my way through that, any ideas appreciated.

However the weird one yesterday: have had some issues with the little squirrel cage blower in the transom being "stuck". Reach in with finger and give it a whirl or two and then off it goes. (This could be related to the charging light, or not!)
My recollection has been that it blows air into the engine, but yesterday it was sucking air out.
Anybody know which way it's supposed to be moving the air?

cheers,
jcm

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Definitely Sucking .........................

Anybody know which way it's supposed to be moving the air?

cheers,
jcm

................... out of the engine compartment, otherwise you'd have the delightful essence of hot engine aroma throughout the cabin.

 

[palacegrand]

................... out of the engine compartment, otherwise you'd have the delightful essence of hot engine aroma throughout the cabin.

Well yeah, but it would also help aspirate the engine. Otherwise, up under the V-berth, how is it breathing?

 

[FastOlson]

Well yeah, but it would also help aspirate the engine. Otherwise, up under the V-berth, how is it breathing?

Even a "small" diesel has a huge appetite for air. You'll find that Yamaha designed in enough ventilation for air to get in there. The blower is always set to remove air.
BTW, I have done a week-long delivery on a Y-33 with the YSB-12. Damn Good engine. Powerful, too, for the rated hp. Having the prop deep under the hull and thrust paralel with the water surface likely helps a lot.

Fine boats.



Might be time, after all these decades, to replace that old blower, tho.

 

[palacegrand]

Just an update.
Even though the alternator appeared to be charging, I decided to start by having it checked out instead of tracing all the wiring possibilities. Good thing as it turns out that the ground had rusted off under the cover. Alternator all rebuilt and working great.
While I was in there; replaced the impeller, new belts, changed the oil, and had the muffler (teeny leak spraying cooling water) repaired.
Pulled the no longer used diesel furnace out of the back to enable me to reach the blower motor. Pulled it out and checked over by the same guys working on the alternator. Repair for $175 or new one for $100? Duh. New one is louder though, probably because it's moving a ton more air.
Off for a week long cruise so hoping that I put all the pieces back together properly.

Cheers,
Craig