Alternator

I need to figure out what kind of alternator my boat has but I have not a clue, the engine is in a 1972 correct craft Mustang its a 302 ford, and im not sure what the amps is on it or weather or not it is marine. Any input will help...?

I swiched mine to a one wire GM style, its 75amps and it costs me 75-bucks thats the way to go!

Here some pics of different marine alternators,right one is a new 105 amp and the left one is my old Prestolite, amperage unknown.

These are some pics of the engine and the alternator that I am not sure of the amps on because it is covered in blue paint...

well looks like a car alt and not a marine unit

MARK,
   What make of valve cover are you showing in your picture. I have purchased two sets at flea markets and they have all been to tall. They hit the exhaust riser. Thanks

Tom we both have the same engine.The owners and parts manual does not tell you what what size the original is.The picture above shows the original Prestolite on the left.I was going to replace it with the one on the right.Bigger amps will not hurt and I doubt you could find one with that low of output.You might have to change some wiring since the new ones have internal regulators,but someone here would be able to tell you how to wire it up.It's hard to see your engine picture but if you have an external regulator it's usually mounted on the top of the bellhousing.It's about 3" square,1/2" thick and has 3 wires going to it.Here is where I got my new one- http://www.db-starter-alternator.com/items/10si-marine?sck=859808
It was $77 delivered.

shouldn't be a problem unless the rpm is so low you aren't going to idle right. A boat doesn't idle any faster than a boat so as long as the belts tight and wired right, no problem that I could think of.

Tom, You haven't mentioned yet why you want to change the aternator. Have you checked to see if it is working? Do you what to add larger loads such as a sound system? Like Gary has mentioned, the original is fine for the original engine. Unlike a old generator, a alternator will put out at engine idle. They will reach max output just above idle at about 1000engine RPM. What is your amp meter telling you?

LOL, It works, I didnt even know, just figured it was shot, glad you said that brainard,oops, otherwise I might not have checked, the alternator is fine lol...   But, there is a but... Am I gonna get fined at the lake because it is not a marine alternator, that is just something I heard. Not sure. do you guys know if that is in place at your lake...???

safty? always an open arc on a alternator

You know that is funny Brainard that you should say that because I work for the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Department. And lol, I see your point, I am only a Detention Officer though...lol

79nautique wrote: safty? always an open arc on a alternator

Chris, Could Tom's alternator be the original?? You have the alternator knowledge so tell me more. I'm curious about the arcing and also why Chryslers have open case alternators.



I know with the old generators that some could be used for the 4th of July! With a alternator (it's been a long time since I've opened one up) doesn't it have one brush? Is that for excitation? With it being a continuous (no commutator) contact, do they arc?

Ok, I have a problem, I never labeled the wires when I took the alternator off so now I have 2 wires that go one way or the other or viseversa,well you know what I mean, I got the one on the starter it was the only one that I was sure of, so know I am scared because if you do that on a vehicle it will kill the alternator fuse and well it just does bad things, Im not sure how that works on a boat not that its that much different but I really dont know, im thinking that I am going to have to wait till the amps stay up on the meter on the dash to make sure it is working or something like that, i guess I am asking how do I know when the battery is chargeing???? because this is what started all of this, one big headache?????

what does it mean when you try to start your boat and a sound comes from the cylanoid that sounds like the sound people get on the family fued when they pick a wrong answer, I dont have a clue, maybe the battery is not charged enough, or my wireing is wrong...???