Checking The Service Battery; Battery Care - Westerbeke 8.0KW - 60Hz EDT Operator's Manual

ALTERNATORS TESTING/TROUBLESHOOTING
TESTING THE EXCITATION CIRCUIT
CHECKING THE SERVICE BATTERY
1. Connect the positive (+) multimeter probe to the Check the voltage offue service battery. this battery should
- - -
--·-e*eitation-terminal-R-on-Ihe-altemat<lr-and-lhe-negative---hllve-a-voltage-between-l.~-and-t4,,0Its-when1he"n)linds
(-) lead to ground. running. If not, fuere is a problem in fue service battery
2.
Thrn
the battery switch to the on position and hote cbarging circuit. Troubleshoot fue service battery charging
the multimeter reading. The reading should be
1.3
to circuit by checking fue wiring and connections, the solenoid,
2.5 volts (see illustration). isolator, battery switch, and fue battery itself.
TESTING THE
EXCITATION
CIRCUIT
(ENGINE
RUNNING)
EXCITER
TERMINAL
3. 'If the reading is between .75 and 1.1 volts, the
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 the excitation circuit of
the regulator. Disconnect the lead from exc terminal
R.
Connect the positive multimeter probe to the excitation
lead and the negative multimeter probe to ground.
If the multimeter now inilicates 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
When the problem bas been solved and before fue alternator
is back in operation, take fue time
to
tighten and clean fue
'tenuinal studs. Also clean fue connecting terminals from the
wiring harness.
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 Manual has detailed
illstructiolls for the disassembly alld repair of their
staruJard altenwtors.
BATTERY CARE
The minimum recommended capacity of the battery used in
the engine's i2 volt DC control circuit is 600 - 900 Cold
Cranking Amps (CCA).
Review fue manufacturer's recommendations and fuen
establish' a systematic maintenance schedule for your
engine's starting batteries and house batteries.
• Mouitor your voltmeter for proper charging during
engine operation.
• Check fue electrolyte ie,!e! and specific gravity with a
hydrometer. .
• Use, only distilled water to bring electrolytes to a proper
level.
• Make certain fuat battery cable connections are clean and
tight to fue battery posts (and to your engine).
EXCITER
TESTING THE
EXCITATION
CIRCUIT
ENGINE
RUNNING
':'
"
TERMINAL
R
R
"IN"
WESTERBEKE
Engines· & Generators
34