Alternators

Some alternators are grounded through the mounting bracket so be sure to clean the mounting surface of any paint, rust or corrosion.

Note: Alternators are bi-rotational & work for right hand or left hand rotations and it is not recommended to paint your replacement

Fun Facts: Marine versus Automotive Alternator

Fuel-efficiency via weight reduction is a primary goal for automotive design. Thus, modern vehicle alternators are made from lighter materials, sized for small batteries and minimal electrical loads. They will not sustain high loads without external airflow for cooling.

Industrial alternator applications require continuous-duty, high-output alternators built to last while operating safely. Marine alternators, for instance, have higher power demands than regular cars and trucks to run lights, radio transceivers, navigating equipment, AC/DC inverters, water makers, pumps, winches and other high-amperage devices. 

Additionally, marine engines are often installed in enclosed compartments to shelter them from moisture and salt spray. This means that marine alternators must be self-cooling at high loads or have an additional cooling subsystem. Marine alternators also comply with strict safety specifications not required of cars.

Marine Alternator Features

In order to meet these demands, alternators built for marine use have features not found in automotive-grade units:

• Spark screens that meet U.S. Coast Guard standards to eliminate the alternator as an ignition source
• Double-insulation to eliminate electrical shock in wet conditions and prevent sparks
• Dual fans and large heat sinks for self-cooling under high, continuous loads
• Stainless steel bearings, corrosion-resistant metals and heavy-duty coatings
• High output at low RPMs to match marine diesel engine operating conditions
• Battery sensing regulators for high-efficiency battery charging and detection of battery cell failure.