J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Dead alternator

Any strong opinions on rebuilding an alternator vs replacing.
Mine is not putting out any voltage.
Another question, I have the standard Battery Switch. Does the alternator send voltage back to the battery via the switch? I do not seem to have any other wires going from the alternator to the batteries or switch except the heavy gauge wires running from engine to battery switch.
If it is sending voltage back via the switch, does that mean if I am on Bat 1 only Bat 1 is receiving voltage from the alternator while motoring?
Thanks,
Chris
Falcon Hull 16

Chris,

The battery does get charged through the battery switch. You need to be on "both" to charge both batteries.

Rebuilds can be cost effective - see what the cost is for a local rebuild and compare to a new or rebuilt unit. I assume the rebuild includes bearings, and they will checkout and replace any of the electrical parts that may be fried.

replace with higher amp version ... more electronics now than what they thought was needed originally.

If I had an alternator go ... which I've not ... that is what I would do. At one point I was thinking of just changing out the original for a Balmar, but never got to it.

wait I just checked the price on a Balmar ... that's why I didn't do it ... but they got some delcos that are in budget.