Westerbeke 4.5 Back end replacement / rewind ? Ideas?

NJMatt50

Member
Apr 28, 2009
225
Jersey Shore
Boat Info
2005 Sundancer 420. Sea lift platform, Axiom Pro, FLIR.
Engines
Cummins 480ce
My backend of the 4.5 BCGTC looks like the windings are charred up after some smoke and low voltage. From what I understand Westerbeke no longer sells a backend for this model. Does anyone have ideas on who can rewind this backend? Or somewhere to buy a rebuilt one? Thanks.
 
Matt, I wish I would have kept my one, I would have given the back end to you. I replaced mine with a 5.0, but it cost 7K for the genny. If you can find some who screwed up like I did, and hydrolocked their 4.5, you maybe able to get their back end...
 
Any motor rewinding shop can do it but I suspect it will be pricey. The field and armature windings been tested and confirmed that they failed?

Usually the windings themselves last the life of the genset, it is other things that go bad.
 
Rod - I have been thinking that too. If only you had that still !!!

I did not test anything as of yet. I just took out the back end yesterday. I peeked at it with a flashlight and saw some burnt material on the windings so I am assuming the worst.. I will have to open it up some more to really see.
 
No idea about rewinding generators but we used to rewind large electric motors. I think it cost about 50% of the value of the motor. I would assume a generator would be the same. The motors went because the bars became loose in them. The older motors were 100% copper the newer ones had other materials. The old ones seemed to last forever. It was the newer ones we had problems with. If any one knows the materials in your generator that might help you decide if you want a new one or to fix your old one. I assume a new one would have a more fuel efficent engine, but I do not know.
 
I just had the same news on my 4.5 Westerbeke. The mechanic told me 2500 for a rebuilt one and 10-12 hours labor. They also said they may have to pull it to work on it?? Working on a second opinion now!
 
I was having issues with mine, and it stopped putting out power. I replaced the diodes and it's good as new. If you're really nice I'll tell you where to get the two diodes for about 6 bucks a piece instead of $120.
 
390X, whats your definition of being nice? Im sure I could comply. Also, what were your symptoms if any before failure and after? NJMatt, I just went to the boat one day and there was no power output. One day fine, next time I started it no power. Im suspicious of the mechanics solution.
 
Well this is what I am looking at. I see something overheated the coil part. If yours just stopped maybe its something simple.

IMG_1228.jpg
 
I was much like you. One day I had power, then I didn't. I followed the manual checking the resistance on everything, and finally narrowed it down to the diodes. I unsoldered them, and pulled them out and tested them. They didn't pass. I ordered new ones from here. Westerbeke wanted over $120 for the pair. It just isn't right how they screw us on these parts.

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70098177
 
Thanks 390! Im on the boat this weekend and looked at the manual. The resistance and ohm numbers are in there, Ill be checking. I hope thats all it is. NJMatt, I would check yours as well, while there is a little crust on your windings they may still be ok. Good luck!
 
I wish.. I went to a local winding shop today and they told me that salt water corrodes the insulation and it shorts out. I am beat... I got another price for $1200 for a rewound with a year warrantee.
 
getting only 8 volts out of my generator. called wsterbeke they said our searays gets generators wet anf have to replace the coil any ideas?
 
could it maybe be the diodes or bridge rectifier?
 

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