Alternator Woes - follow up

[pfmarrack]

Hi All,
After diagnosis of the alternator for my MD6B, it seems it will need
to be rebuilt. I would like to get a opinion from the collective
wisdom of the forum. I'm I better off getting the alternator rebuilt
or purchasing an alternator with a greater output? Assuming others
have done this before, is there any particular model or specification
I should look for.

Thanks
Paul
V2926

 

[vega2052]

Hi,

while it\'s nice to have a large alternator there one problem with
that.
To your diesel the alternator is really a brake. Consider that the
power output on a, new, MD6 is a little bit more than 7 kW. That,
roughly corresponds to 600 A. I think that you\'d really notice a
tired engine when you have an alternator at about 10 percent of what
the motor can deliver.
My MD6A has an alternator of 35 A. When I put the boat in the water
in late April I really had a tired engine due to flat batteries. Now
with full batteries the motor responds much quicker.

I think the 35A alternator is a reasonable compromize. If you need
more, you probably need a larger diesel, or maybe solar panels, wind-
generator etc.

best regards - Mike (59°35 N, 16°35 E)