- Nov 26, 2006
- 7,628
- Boat Info
- 2008 44 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
Guage on dash dropped from almost 14V to 12 and then bled down until I got a Battery Warning with the engine running. Belt was fine. I started the genny and charged the battery, but the alternator appeared to stop making electrons (STS).
Got back to dock, shut down, re-seated alt connections, restarted, and still not good. As I removed the alternator, I checked for current and the hot wire was just that - hot (12V). That was with the engine keys off, but batteries on. Is this normal? If the alt checks good, what is the next part to check (other than the connections at the other end).
If it checks good on the stand, I'll re-install it. If still not good, I'll swap alternators port to stbd after re-checking all connections - haven't checked at battery yet.
Any other ideas?
Rest of the story:
Spent night at island, went for walk, then prepared to return to dock.
Got alarm above and used genny for battery charging.
Cruised home to dock (2 miles).
Tried to fix, then removed alternator.
Tried to start truck - brand new battery is dead (obviously another issue - alternator? - no, something is staying hot with key off.)
Finally found someone with cables. Found someone else with car. Jumped truck. Almost out of gas - stopped and tried to refuel with engine on - idles too low and quit. Found another set of cables and got jumped again.
Dropped wife off at car.
Raced home.
Showered.
Shoveled in a breakfast burrito.
Got in car to airport. Got a block away. Turned back for cell phone.
Raced to airport.
Raced through security (lucky).
Arrived at gate with 18 mintues to go (bare minimum is 15).
Talked flight attendant into stowing bag in front closet (full plane).
Flew to Atlanta.
Signed in to work - now, I have a couple of hours to relax.
Got back to dock, shut down, re-seated alt connections, restarted, and still not good. As I removed the alternator, I checked for current and the hot wire was just that - hot (12V). That was with the engine keys off, but batteries on. Is this normal? If the alt checks good, what is the next part to check (other than the connections at the other end).
If it checks good on the stand, I'll re-install it. If still not good, I'll swap alternators port to stbd after re-checking all connections - haven't checked at battery yet.
Any other ideas?
Rest of the story:
Spent night at island, went for walk, then prepared to return to dock.
Got alarm above and used genny for battery charging.
Cruised home to dock (2 miles).
Tried to fix, then removed alternator.
Tried to start truck - brand new battery is dead (obviously another issue - alternator? - no, something is staying hot with key off.)
Finally found someone with cables. Found someone else with car. Jumped truck. Almost out of gas - stopped and tried to refuel with engine on - idles too low and quit. Found another set of cables and got jumped again.
Dropped wife off at car.
Raced home.
Showered.
Shoveled in a breakfast burrito.
Got in car to airport. Got a block away. Turned back for cell phone.
Raced to airport.
Raced through security (lucky).
Arrived at gate with 18 mintues to go (bare minimum is 15).
Talked flight attendant into stowing bag in front closet (full plane).
Flew to Atlanta.
Signed in to work - now, I have a couple of hours to relax.