It looks like the alternator in my '84 ODay 28 kicked the bucket. I have a Universal M-15 diesel (Kubota 5411 11hp) with a 50amp Motorola alternator with an internal regulator. The voltage at the battery remains at 12.5 after I start the motor. A few questions: There are two wires out of the alternator, the thick red one that goes to the battery and a thin blue one. What is the blue one for, and more importantly, will a good alternator work without it connected? The list price for a replacement is $460. I'm wondering if anyone has had success with a suitable alternative. I sail in fresh water, have virtually no electronics (even my FM radio is a D cell boom box)and the most juice I use while running are the running lights at night. I'm not concerned with sparks since it's a diesel. Has anyone replaced this with a cheaper auto alternator? If so, what make/model did you use?
ALTERNATOR ISSUES
- Thread starter jerry10848
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Take it off. Look in the phone book under ,,,
well,,,, try 'automotive electrical repair' or something like that. You're looking for a alternator and starter motor repair shop. Your brushes are probable worn out, or the wire to one of them is broken. Chances are that YOU could fix it for five bucks or less. Yes, and chances are about 95%. But save your cash. Any alternator will work. Well maybe not a Hitachi.
well,,,, try 'automotive electrical repair' or something like that. You're looking for a alternator and starter motor repair shop. Your brushes are probable worn out, or the wire to one of them is broken. Chances are that YOU could fix it for five bucks or less. Yes, and chances are about 95%. But save your cash. Any alternator will work. Well maybe not a Hitachi.
Good advice, Fred
I have rebuilt alternators many times for less than $20- new brushes, and bearings. Time to do the job has rarely exceeded 3 hours including the learning curve. Save your money for the oilman this winter. BTW, my guess on the small blue one is the alternator signal since this is a diesel engine.
I have rebuilt alternators many times for less than $20- new brushes, and bearings. Time to do the job has rarely exceeded 3 hours including the learning curve. Save your money for the oilman this winter. BTW, my guess on the small blue one is the alternator signal since this is a diesel engine.
Alt Light?
The blue wire is most likely the wire that usually goes to an alternator light. Blue wire to one side of the light... other side of the light goes to 12v ignition switch. When wired like this the alternator will not work when the light bulb goes bad. Worth checking before tearing apart. Jerry
The blue wire is most likely the wire that usually goes to an alternator light. Blue wire to one side of the light... other side of the light goes to 12v ignition switch. When wired like this the alternator will not work when the light bulb goes bad. Worth checking before tearing apart. Jerry
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