Fried alternator
 

Anyone know what I would need to replace (parts-wise) to salvage my '89
mercury 3.0 I/O alternator after reversing the leads and frying it
(literally - white smoke was billowing out of it)? I would assume that
it would be the regulator, at a minumum, but don't know if there are
capacitors, diodes, heat sinks, etc. that would have been fried. The
breaker never tripped, so I'm afaid there's no quick-fix. I'd rather
order the parts and have a shop install them rather than have to
purchase a brand new marine alternator all together. Any thoughts,
ideas, things to look for, etc., would be GREATLY appreciated as I want
to be up and running again for spring! Thanks!

I would say if smoke was billowing out of it, the windings are probably
melted. Opening it up will answer the question pretty quickly.

Doug
s/v Callista

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone know what I would need to replace (parts-wise) to salvage my '89
mercury 3.0 I/O alternator after reversing the leads and frying it
(literally - white smoke was billowing out of it)? I would assume that
it would be the regulator, at a minumum, but don't know if there are
capacitors, diodes, heat sinks, etc. that would have been fried. The
breaker never tripped, so I'm afaid there's no quick-fix. I'd rather
order the parts and have a shop install them rather than have to
purchase a brand new marine alternator all together. Any thoughts,
ideas, things to look for, etc., would be GREATLY appreciated as I want
to be up and running again for spring! Thanks!

You absolutely fried the diodes, unless this is one of the few that has a fuse to
protect the diodes.

You may have fried more. Winding are most likely. Regulator is unlikely.

Given the age, I think I'd get a new one.


"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in message ...
I would say if smoke was billowing out of it, the windings are probably
melted. Opening it up will answer the question pretty quickly.

Doug
s/v Callista

wrote in message ups.com...
Anyone know what I would need to replace (parts-wise) to salvage my '89
mercury 3.0 I/O alternator after reversing the leads and frying it
(literally - white smoke was billowing out of it)? I would assume that
it would be the regulator, at a minumum, but don't know if there are
capacitors, diodes, heat sinks, etc. that would have been fried. The
breaker never tripped, so I'm afaid there's no quick-fix. I'd rather
order the parts and have a shop install them rather than have to
purchase a brand new marine alternator all together. Any thoughts,
ideas, things to look for, etc., would be GREATLY appreciated as I want
to be up and running again for spring! Thanks!

Thanks. I think it's definately a newer alt. than the engine (2nd
owner), which is why I'd rather replace parts. I took off the
regulator, but it looked fine, although it's hard to tell since it's
filled with molded plastic. If I pull it off, do you think a local
alternator shop could rebuild it cheaply? Thanks all.

Last time I had an alt rebuilt it cost around $150. That included
replacing bearings and a diode pack. If it needs to be rewound
then I check the cost of a new one.

Doug
s/v Callista

wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks. I think it's definately a newer alt. than the engine (2nd
owner), which is why I'd rather replace parts. I took off the
regulator, but it looked fine, although it's hard to tell since it's
filled with molded plastic. If I pull it off, do you think a local
alternator shop could rebuild it cheaply? Thanks all.

On 14 Jan 2005 16:41:25 -0800, wrote:

Thanks. I think it's definately a newer alt. than the engine (2nd
owner), which is why I'd rather replace parts. I took off the
regulator, but it looked fine, although it's hard to tell since it's
filled with molded plastic. If I pull it off, do you think a local
alternator shop could rebuild it cheaply? Thanks all.

An automotive alternator shop should be able to rebuild it - whether
they can do it cheaply or not is for you (and them) to decide.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

On 14 Jan 2005 10:45:14 -0800, wrote:

Anyone know what I would need to replace (parts-wise) to salvage my '89
mercury 3.0 I/O alternator after reversing the leads and frying it
(literally - white smoke was billowing out of it)? I would assume that
it would be the regulator, at a minumum, but don't know if there are
capacitors, diodes, heat sinks, etc. that would have been fried. The
breaker never tripped, so I'm afaid there's no quick-fix. I'd rather
order the parts and have a shop install them rather than have to
purchase a brand new marine alternator all together. Any thoughts,
ideas, things to look for, etc., would be GREATLY appreciated as I want
to be up and running again for spring! Thanks!

I'd take it to an alternator shop and have them rebuild it if new is
out of the question.
Mark E. Williams