Alternators For Boats And Personal Watercraft
Quality - Value - Service
Although Marine Alternators are similar in appearance to the alternators used on automobiles they are not interchangeable. Marine Alternators are designed to arrest any spark caused by the alternator brushes during normal operation to reduce the risk of explosion. Brushes inside the alternator cause some sparking when the alternator is charging. This is normal for any alternator. When the alternator is exposed to a flammable atmosphere, such as an enclosed engine compartment on an inboard gasoline application with a fuel leak, the sparking from the brushes in the alternator could cause an explosion.
MARINE SAE J1171 ( External Ignition Protection of Marine Electrical Devices)
Alternators that are being installed on inboard gasoline engines must be certified to meet Coast Guard requirements for ignition protection. In order for the alternator to be certified, it must pass the testing procedure, Marine SAE J1171, laid-out by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
The Marine SAE J1171 testing procedure is as follows: A sparking device, similar to a spark plug, is installed in the brush area of the alternator. Another device is also installed in the brush area of the alternator to supply a specified mixture of propane gas and oxygen. The alternator is then placed in an explosion proof test chamber. The chamber and the alternator are then filled with the explosive gas mixture. A high-voltage coil supplies current to the sparking device in the brush area of the alternator, causing an explosion. An explosion must not occur in the test chamber while this test is being performed. This step is repeated nine times. Finally, a spark is supplied inside the test chamber causing an explosion to ensure that the explosive mixture was present during the testing operations.
MARINE SAE J1171 ( External Ignition Protection of Marine Electrical Devices)
Alternators that are being installed on inboard gasoline engines must be certified to meet Coast Guard requirements for ignition protection. In order for the alternator to be certified, it must pass the testing procedure, Marine SAE J1171, laid-out by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
The Marine SAE J1171 testing procedure is as follows: A sparking device, similar to a spark plug, is installed in the brush area of the alternator. Another device is also installed in the brush area of the alternator to supply a specified mixture of propane gas and oxygen. The alternator is then placed in an explosion proof test chamber. The chamber and the alternator are then filled with the explosive gas mixture. A high-voltage coil supplies current to the sparking device in the brush area of the alternator, causing an explosion. An explosion must not occur in the test chamber while this test is being performed. This step is repeated nine times. Finally, a spark is supplied inside the test chamber causing an explosion to ensure that the explosive mixture was present during the testing operations.
Services For the Marine Alternator
Rebuild Alternator:
The original alternator is put through a remanufacturing process.
- Complete disassembly of the unit.
- All components are cleaned and inspected.
- Service components are replaced with 100% new parts. (brushes, bearings, etc.)
- Rotor slip rings are resurfaced and polished on lathe.
- Stator and Rotor windings are tested electrically for shorts and grounds.
- Voltage Regulators and Rectifiers are 100% tested.
- All Alternators are 100% bench tested under load to meet output standards
Repair Alternator:
Only the minimum number of components are replaced to make the alternator work.
- The alternator is benched tested to determine which components have failed.
- Only the failed component or components are replaced.
- The alternator is bench tested to meet output standards.
- No other repairs are made...no cleaning, no new bearings, no new brushes.
- No warranty is offered.
New Alternator:
A new alternator is supplied as a replacement.
- New - Aftermarket: 100% new units manufactured by companies other than the Original Equipment Manufacturer. Most but not all of these are made in China or Taiwan. Generally they are less expensive than new OEM units.
- New - OEM: (Original Equipment Manufacturer): 100% new unit manufactured by the Original Supplier. Generally are the most expensive and offer the highest level of quality.
ALTERNATORS
LAMPS BRUSHES ARMATURES BRUSH HOLDERS |
WINDOW REGULATORS
DIODES BEARINGS CLUTCH PULLEYS BATTERY ISOLATORS |
STARTERS
FUSES RELAYS SWITCHES SOLENOIDS |
WINDOW MOTORS
DRIVES BUSHINGS BATTERY CABLES VOLTAGE REGULATORS |
GENERATORS
BULBS ROTORS FIELD COILS WIRE SUPPLIES |