High Output Alternators & Serpentine belts

[Jim Picerno]

I am a new owner of an Ericson 38-200. The boat is 1200 miles away and on the hard, and even though I can’t get on the boat, I’ve started to think about upgrading some of the various systems. The boat’s electrical system is extremely rudimentary. It consists of 2 FLA house batteries, and a single FLA starter battery. There is a battery charger (not sure of the brand), but no inverter. And it appears to have the stock alternator which I believe is rated at 52a. There is no solar, or wind power so charging is either from shore power, or the stock alternator. Which brings me to my question which is about battery charging. Is anyone using a high out alternator with a serpentine pulley kit? If so what engine? Which alternator and regulator are you using? And finally how has it worked for you? TIA for your comments.

 

[Kenneth K]

There was a list of Critical Upgrades circulating around a few years back on a Catalina Owner's website. Much of it was pertinent to Ericsons with Universal engines, so many people here used the list as well.

The common electrical items were:
1. Removing the Ammeter (and thus, the alternator output/charging) from the engine panel, and
2. Removing the trailer plugs from the engine wiring harness and replacing with terminal bars.

Unless those modifications have been made on your boat, the combination of either of those items with a high-output alternator can create a real fire hazard.

I'd probably add battery fusing to the list, too, since Ericson didn't put fuses on our battery cables.

CRITICAL UPGRADES - DO THESE OR ELSE!!!

CRITICAL UPGRADES - DO THESE OR ELSE!!!

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