Battery Care - Westerbeke 5.5 kw EDC 60 HZ Operator's Manual

ALTERNATORS TESTING/TROUBLESHOOTING
TESTING THE EXCITATION CIRCUIT
1. Connect the positive
(+) multimeter probe to the
excitation terminal R on the alternator and the negative
(-) lead to ground.
i.
'furn the battery switch to the on position and Mte
ille multimeter reading. The reading should be 1.3 to
2.5 volts (see illustration).
TESTING THE
EXCITATION
CIRCUIT
3. 'If the reading is between .75 and 1.1 volts, ille
rotor field circuit probably is shorted or grounded.
4. If the reading is between 6.0 and 7.0 volts, the rotor
field circuit probably is open.
5.
If no reading is obtained, an open exists in the
alternator-excitation lead or in ille excitation circuit of
ille regolator. Disconnect the lead from exc terminal R.
Connect ille positive multimeter probe to the excitation
lead and ille negative multirneter probe to ground.
If the multimeter now indicates an approximate battery
voltage, the voltage regulator is defective and must be
replaced. If no voltage is indicated, check the
excitation circuit for loose or dirty connections or
damaged wiring.
OUTPUT TERMINAL
CHECKING THE SERVICE BATTERY
Check the voltage of ille service battery. this battery should
have a voltage between 13 and 14 volts when ille engine is
running. If not, illere is a problem in ille service battery
charging circuit. Troubleshoot the service battery charging
circuit by checking ille wiring and connections, ille solenoid,
isolator, battery switch, and ille battery itself.
When ille problem has been solved and before ille alternator
is back in operation, take the time to tighten and clean the
'terminal studs. Also clean ille connecting terminals from the
wiring hamess.
ALTERNATOR REPAIR
If tests indicate a failed alternator, it will need to be disas-
sembled and repaired. Any good alternator service shop can
do the job.
NOTE: WESTERBEKE'S Service Ml1JlUl11 has detailed
instructionsfor the disassembly and repair of their
standmd alternators.
BATTERY CARE
The minimum recommended capacity of ille battery used in
the engine's 12 volt DC control circuit is 600 - 900 Cold
Cranking Amps (CCA).
Review the manufacturer's recommendations and illen
establish'a systematic maintenance schedule for yonr
engine's starting batteries and house batteries.
• Monitor yonr voltmeter for proper charging during
engine operation.
• Check ille electrolyte level and specific gravity wiill a
hydrometer. '
• Use, only dis1illed water to briog electrolytes to a proper
leVel.
• Make
certain that
battery cable connections are clean and
tight to ille battery posts (and to yonr engine).
EXCITER
TESTING THE
EXCITATION
CIRCUIT
ENGINE
RUNNING
TERMINAL
R
Engines & Generators
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