Marine Alternators with Nigel Calder

[@ylemoine1]

Great lesson re stainless steel washers not being conductive. Something that most do-it-yourselfers just aren’t aware of. 👍

[@Valk69]

I never knew that. Damn I use stainless everywhere! Just found this: While carbon steel offers a resistivity that is eight times higher than copper, stainless steel has a resistivity that is 40 times higher than copper.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Learn something new everyday.

[@mhansl]

I wasn’t. These guys are masters.

[@mhansl]

@@PacificYachtSystems Jeff, thank you for doing these.

[@carlthor91]

They are conductive, just not anywhere near plated copper, hence higher resistance = heat, 4-0 cable = large current = lots of heat.

[@svhappymondays]

Every days a school day thanks,Jeff and Nigel 👍

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Appreciate the note! Glad to know this video has been informative!

[@bryangreenleaf5001]

Great info on stainless washers.

[@mvdospeces4370]

Jeff and Nigel, I think you are doing a Great job of trying to educate cruisers on what makes a safe installation. Yes we are dealing with current levels that we have never seen before in marine systems, and those currents can create a dangerous or deadly situation if installed improperly. I have a concern and this is not just with electrical systems. We are becoming as a community very dependent on technology, yet many of our designs include little or no fault tolerance. This creates a situation where we can loose an entire critical system through the failure of just one component. That is not a game stopper is we are close to a spare parts, and or a skilled technician source, but it can become a real issue if we are is a remote area of this very large planet. I understand the challenges, redundancy costs money. All I would ask is that every cruiser look at their installation and think "what if". What if that component faulted out. What could you do to work around that failure? I'll use an alternator failure as an example. If you are dependent on that alternator to charge your house bank what will you do if it fails. What is the failure was a bearing and you were is a remote part of the world? Now your propulsion engine is inoperative, and you have a house bank that is dropping in voltage. Long distance cruisers especially need to think about these things. Again, great informative videos!!!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Wow, thanks for the very great input, really refreshing perspective.

[@luisgcasiquet]

Thanks Jeff for bringing that subject.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad to help!

[@chachi5975]

Wow, good to know about the washer, I'm going to go check my system and make sure I didn't make that mistake!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad to help.

[@Beekeeping_Bro]

Nice lessons I’m replacing SS washers with Copper washers on bass bars or fuse holders

[@michaelphilip9378]

Make sure those washers are conical and never reuse once torqued down and loosened

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Tks for sharing!

[@chachi5975]

I don't think they are saying not to use stainless washers just be aware of the placement. Corrosion on the copper washers could be more of an issue down the road. Do they make tinned copper washers? I thought about the situation Nigel was talking about but if you place the anl fuse first and then the lugs, washer and nut. When you slide out the fuse, the lug will prevent the washer from slipping down. As long as you don't put the fuse between them when replacing it you should be fine. Just my 2cents😊

[@svlonestar7645]

Thanks Jeff Cote,, valuable info

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Tks for the feedback.

[@Lordlindef]

Bring copper kass whit lugs and use heads when fuse goes !!! Good video❤

[@franklindmurphy]

Wow I didn't know that about the SS washers....damn....I'm gonna check everything now. And Yes Jeff we as boaters are very grateful for your videos. Thank you and I look forward to the next.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Right on Franklin, thanks for the quite motivating message, means a lot to me, Jeff.

[@sailinglatis]

Thanks Jeff. I always like to here from Nigel when he is on your channel. Did I miss something…great point about washers. Will there be a follow up on marine alternators. The chat started there about larger units. Love to here more detail. Pros cons compatibility, other key point Nigel can offer from his perspective. And you when u do unboxing etc. Thanks.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for the request, we'll definitely speak more about this topic.

[@416srw]

Hey Jeff, If I have an AGM battery for a starter and also for bow thruster and Lithium for a house bank with a battery isolator between the batteries and the alternator do I risk damaging my alternator if the lithium bank BMS shuts off? Should I use a B to B charger between my starter battery and the house bank?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

With your alternator output connected to a battery isolator, you alternator is effectively connected to AGM start and Lithium house, therefore a sudden disconnect from the BMS won't damage the alternator because of the AGM battery.

[@cheapcigs9772]

Jeff, can you point me toward a good resource to learn how to build or modify a small case high output marine alternator? I'm not really impressed with currently available options and would prefer to know alternators inside and out before heading into undeveloped areas.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

We leave this to the pros at the alternator shop in town. We don't do it ourselves.

[@captaingordon]

🤦‍♂️ I had no idea stainless steel doesn’t conduct. I’ve got my work cut out for me to go backwards and find all the washers I’ve installed over the years. Thanks for save!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad I could help

[@dennismartindale691]

Hello Jeff, Thanks for your videos. I just purchased a Victron Battery Isolator, it came with two flat washers and a lock washer on each stud. Where is the wire lug supposed to be? Thanks

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Suggest to follow Victron exact instructions, they know best.

[@dennismartindale691]

@@PacificYachtSystems Thanks Jeff. Unfortunately they don’t reference the washers at all in their printed material provided with the product.

[@chachi5975]

@@dennismartindale691 neither does Blue sea systems on their fuse holders!

[@Nixontheman]

Ya learn something every day👍

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Yep, especially if we constantly look out for the opportunity to grow.

[@meoutwest]

Hey Jeff, can you show some pictures to show this washer issue. Thanks

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good idea, will make a video about it.

[@graemeworland9759]

Thanks guys, I always enjoy. Question; Are there reliable higher output alternators for outboards? My Verado 250 has a 70 amp but now with Seakeeper pulling 40-45 at spool up I have a problem and no room for a generator. I bought a 90 amp on line and blew it up first outing! Ta.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good question, unfortunately don't have any experience on upgrading a alternator on a outboard engine, anyone else can comment on this question from Graeme.

[@octopusiicaptn8632]

Hi, nice talk as always, what size of engine would you need to get these powerful alternator'glowing' ? And as others said new to me as well for S.Steal , so would you say have them but be careful to use them as the last one before screw, or forget about using any? Cheers

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Just be careful how you stack connections on top of a electrical connection, make sure the connection lug has direct connect to the electrical post. My own sailboat engine is only 30 HP, it has a 220 amp alternator, and it can get pretty hot.

[@chachi5975]

I was hoping that Nigel was going to discuss the Integral alternator he has developed.

[@JohnSmith-xn3fr]

he was going to but Jeff did all the talking. Again.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Tks John for your feedback.

[@JohnSmith-xn3fr]

@@PacificYachtSystems always, since you get a hard-on hearing your voice :)

[@anastasiosvanderpas7463]

Fun conversation carried away to washers 😀 next time please mention something about the hot topic of alternators please.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point!

[@allansmits9621]

Disappointed, didn’t hear any solutions for using alternators for serious charging, without burning up the alternator. I know Nigel consults with Integral Solutions, whom I contacted by email, and they just referred me to their video. No solid answers forthcoming. Is this info a secret?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Allan, we share this alternator info in other in the PYS videos, search out alternators and you may get exactly what you are going.

[@allansmits9621]

Thanks for the tip, Jeff. I’ll try to find the content on your other PYS videos. I was just disappointed that Nigel didn’t discuss it on this video, and that Integral Systems has not been forthcoming to me with their solutions. I am at a disadvantage with my Caterpiller 3208 engines that they factory-mounted small 50A alternators on the engines with a single V-belt, so I cannot simply replace the alternator with a high current output model. What interested me about Integral is that they said they could get higher amperage at lower rpm’s and not tax the engine load. That is quite different than any of the specs I found with Ballard or high quality/high output alternator companies. Thanks!

[@jameswilliamson1312]

Would mega fuses limit this problem? You need to take the nut, washer, cable then fuse out, to replace the fuse!! Midi fuses are the same process. I'm not comfortable with those ANL fuses.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

James, look at the MRBF fuses from Blue Sea Systems, seems really promising for many fusing requirements.

[@ElectronicMarine]

ahahaha the fuses and stainless steel is one of the common things i find onboard.... one cleiente sued me because i've used galvanised bolts and washrs and nuts intead of inox... :)

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good one, lots of gotchas on boats, one needs to learn lots to avoid making common reasons, thanks sharing.

[@esquire9445]

IMHO you should really snip that part about the washers into a smaller video with a title that will draw a lot of attention. I’m sure others can think of a good title, reply below.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for the tip!

[@svlonestar7645]

That was Morro Rock

[@PacificYachtSystems]

What is "Morro Rock", sorry i don't know.

[@svlonestar7645]

@@PacificYachtSystems It's on the Central Coast Coast of California.. The Advertising was a Ford Add, and the back drop was a shot of Morro Rock.

[@en8581]

Thanks- learned one thing new. But video was extremely superficial. For example, there was no education about why alternators get hot, resistance plus rectifiers, and how externally rectified small case alternators are better in many situations. Many things could have been explained.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point E N, will consider for future videos.

[@michaelphilip9378]

washers should also be 1 shot conicals. Once they have been torqued down, they should be thrown away if loosened Also feel that an alternator should never exceed aprox 100 amp. If more wattage is required you should increase the voltage of your storage system. Jeff, Would love to buy you lunch and discuss 1 day. Michael

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Micheal for your inputs, wasn't aware of the "been torqued part" either. Reach out anytime.

[@robertlee8042]

You create concern but stop short of presenting a path forward.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point and good idea for a future video.

[@monamie2772]

Hey Jeff less talkie, we want to hear from the guru.

[@Lordlindef]

Jeff if u shutup and let pro talk