Hi all -
I searched the forums this morning for information on the 105A alternator upgrade that Catalina Direct sells, but couldn't find anything specific. My original issue began with a dead tachometer. I have eliminated the tachometer itself and the wiring as causes. Which leaves me with the alternator. There is no voltage at the AC tap, which is what feeds the tachometer. I could probably have the existing alternator repaired, but the cost of just replacing the alternator with the high capacity one from CD seems attractive to me. Has anyone made this change? Any thoughts or advice? My engine is the M35AC.
Thanks,
Don
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Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC
When my alternator died I replaced it with Leece Neville 90 Amp Alternator. My model is the
LN-110-602 (8MR2069TA) from ASE Supply Company in Oregon. I have been very happy with the upgrade and should have done it sooner. The new alternator has a dedicated ground vs case ground for the original, so you need to fabricate a cable and connect it to the black battery cable that grounds the engine.
Ron St. Onge
1995 Catalina 36 MKII Hull 1384
Hello Don,
We have a 100 amp Balmar and all things considered it’s a good upgrade. It has an annoying feature of turning off power to the tach when the batteries are topped off. I suspect that I could do some rewiring through the external voltage regulator but I’m learning to live with it.
Somewhere around the 100 amp range it’s suggested that you consider upgrading the belt drive. The larger amperage alternator puts significantly more torque on the single belt causing it to wear prematurely. Best case you get more belt dust in the engine compartment, worst case you get a belt failure.
Mainsails article on “Marine How To” is well worth the read and it overviews how far down the rabbit hole you can go with an alternator upgrade.
https://marinehowto.com/marine-alternator-installation-tips-tricks/
Ray
Ray & Janice Taylor
"Mizu"
Hood River, Ore.
#2113 2002 TM
I'd go one step further from Ray's advice and suggest consideration of purchasing your replacement from Mainesail (Compass Marine Services -- Rod Collins). He sells his own custom alternators. When our OEM alternator died, we replaced it his CMI-105-ER alternator, downrated via the ARS-5H regulator which we also purchased from him. No belt upgrade needed.
Rod gave us lots of helpful consultation, and I think giving him business is good karma, considering all the extremely helpful advice he provides to the sailing community.
https://marinehowto.com/marine-alternator-installation-tips-tricks/(link is external)
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Thanks for all of the great info. There's a lot more to this than I thought! It looks like Marine How-To's store is currently closed, but I'll check again next week.
Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC
The problem is that CD is selling you an el-cheapo knock off alternator built in China. Dead AC taps, stuck brushes, fast wearing low quality brushes, easy over heat damage due to low quality magnet wire, failed rotors etc are not uncommon with these alts. If you want to stay internally regulated (far from optimal) spend the money on a genuine Leece-Neville (not easy to do with all the scammers and counterfeit stuff out there) If you want external regulation we should be able to build more CMI-105-ER's by September.
-Maine Sail
https://www.marinehowto.com/
I have had the CD upgrade for two years. It works perfectly and CD has excellent technical support and walks you through the harder parts.
It's my New Hampshire made aux charger that needs a warranty repair. One year old, only charges on one side.
I'm not selling anything.