On my 89, I replaced the original alternator with what I thought to be a good aftermarket one. It turned out to be a cheep Chinese POS. After a few months, the regulator went bad and it has a 3A drain on the batteries after I shut off the engine. I don't have any fancy electronics, so something like a 90A should do. I need a recommendation on a good American made alternator.
Bill Deliman
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Bill Deliman
Vivacious 2
1989 Catalina 36, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, m25xp
Atlantic Highlands, N.J.
Hey Bill. Have to ask that you consider adding some data to your signature. Boat year, rig, keel, and engine data, as well as cruising area.
It's hard to tell what is made in the USA and what is not nowadays. For over 100 years, Leece-Neville has been building electrical components for the automotive, farm, marine, and aviation industries and enjoys an excellent reputation. Some folks have installed the Leece-Neville 90amp 8MR2069TA alternators onto our boats.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
1989 Catalina 36, tall rig, wing keel, m25xp out of Atlantic Highlands, N.J. Looks like I made a good decision, I just ordered that same alternator. I think I'm good for now.
Bill deliman
Bill Deliman
Vivacious 2
1989 Catalina 36, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, m25xp
Atlantic Highlands, N.J.
Strongly suggest you do a conversion to an external regulator and put this regulator outside of the engine compartment. There is a conversion kit available and excellent instructions are here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/alternator_conversion
(Please consider a donation to the above site. Instructions are at the end of the article)
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Bill,
Welcome to the forum. I am sure that a quick conversation with one of the local alternator rebuild shops would help quite a bit. One thing you might want to watch out for is to assure that the pulleys on the engine and the alternator are mechcanically in line with each other. It's quite possible to have an alternator that fits in the bracket but it's pulley is larger (or shorter) and the belt is pulled off to one side.
Bill
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
In 2011 I installed a Leece Neville 8MR2069TA 90 Amp Alternator and it has worked great.
Ken Enstrom
2004 C-36 MKII #2199
Tall Rig, Wing Keel, M-35B
S/V Valkyrie - Sail Great Lakes
What pulley did you use? The one from the original Motorola is too small to fit on the shaft of the Leece. I need a pulley.
Bill Deliman
Bill Deliman
Vivacious 2
1989 Catalina 36, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, m25xp
Atlantic Highlands, N.J.
I don't recall what pulley I used, or if I bought a new one. I don't recall it being a big problem though. Perhaps I ordered the pullet at the same time I ordered the alternator. I suggest measuring the shaft diameter and doing an internet search for what you need.
Sorry I could not help more.
Ken Enstrom
2004 C-36 MKII #2199
Tall Rig, Wing Keel, M-35B
S/V Valkyrie - Sail Great Lakes