[C320-list] Rough idle on diesel due to Balmar Alternator?

[charles walsh]

On my last boat I had a high output alternator (120amps) and had the same problem.  I installed an on off switch and usually waited until after leaving the dock, mooring etc. before switching on.  The alternator pulled too much horsepower from the engine while at idle but once under way the loss of rpm was not too noticiable.

Charlie Walsh
Windrifter #317


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Alex Krause<mailto:al_exander at yahoo.com> 
  To: C320-List at catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com> 
  Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 1:17 AM
  Subject: [C320-list] Rough idle on diesel due to Balmar Alternator?


  I'm new to the C320 IA.  Bought hull 273 a couple months ago, keep in Long Beach CA, and am in the process of fixing all the little gremlins on the boat.  Wife and I really like the boat and I'm glad to have found this association.  
     
    Hull 273 (Westerbeke 30B3) has a very rough, loud, vibrating idle at times.  It is intermittent.  I think it has to do with the high output Balmar alternator that was installed.  At 80amps, which equates to 3 to 4hp (~10% of peak hp), engine idle is reduced as there is no automatic idle compensation like todays car engines.  Normal idle is 1150rpm, sometimes it drops to 600rpm.  After contemplating this for a while I've come to the conclusion that it must be the alternator.  I'm not certain this is the reason.  Has anyone else experienced this with their diesel's after installing a high output alternator?
  To solve this I'm investigating an on/off switch for the regulator but I'd like to be certain this is the problem.
  Alex
  Coruna Cat #273  

    
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