DOES ANONE KNOW THE LOCATION OF CATALINA 320 REGULATOR

[michaelratinter]

I have been searching for the factory external voltage regulator on a friend's Catalina 320. I can't find it online.

Anyone know?

[smac999]

I highly doubt a Catalina has a factory external reg. only if it was added.

this goes for most boats actually. very few will come with an ext reg

[michaelratinter]

The Catalina 320 has a Yanmar engine drives an Hitachi alternator which requires an external voltage regulator.

Anyone know where the voltage regulator is located?

[michaelratinter]

I re-read my first post and realized that my request may not have been clear.

A friend has a Catalina 320. The alternator is producing no current. The field excitation input on the Hitachi alternator has 0 volts. We believe the external voltage regulator is faulty but we can find no documentation which shows where the voltage regulator is located in the boat.

Does anyone know the answer, please?

[Jim Cate]

Does anyone know the answer, please?

Not wanting to be snide, but usually at the end of the wire coming from the field connection on the alternator. Can't you physically trace it?

And we keep hearing about the fantastic factory support from Catalina... I bet they know!

Jim

[michaelratinter]

Jim,

Thanks.

[Rough Magic]

Yep, call Catalina. They keep extensive records on their boats, are very helpful, and have parts in stock.

[Cheechako]

Just follow the wire from the alternator then. I'm surprised they have one. Maybe it's screwed on the back of the alternator?

[Sailnav]

Also, check which engine is installed.
Early C-320s used 29-hp engines from Perkins, later ones used Yanmar engines. Different alternators for each, of course.

[Opanani]

Try www.sailboatowners.com

[Dave Lochner]

I believe the Hitachi alternators supplied with Yanmar diesels are internally regulated. And because of the way Hitachi builds their regulators, it is difficult to convert them to external regulation.

Are you certain the wire you are looking at is for the field excitation and not the tach sensor?

If there is an external regulator it should be easy to find, follow the wires.

The best course of action might be to take the alternator to an automotive alternator shop and have them take a look at it.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by michaelratinter

The Catalina 320 has a Yanmar engine drives an Hitachi alternator which requires an external voltage regulator.

Anyone know where the voltage regulator is located?

I call bs on external reg. Yanmar normally has an ignition wire and a dash lamp wire. Blue stripe and red stripe. (Newer ones anyways) Both should have 12v with key on. And wires unplugged. Come from instrument panel.

Someone may be confusing external reg with voltage sense.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by michaelratinter

The Catalina 320 has a Yanmar engine drives an Hitachi alternator which requires an external voltage regulator.

Anyone know where the voltage regulator is located?

michael, that is simply not true. Dave L noted so, and you will find that Hitachi alternators come with internal regulation.


I have owned Catalinas since 1983. Catalina NEVER put an external regulator on ANY of its boats. EVER.


And here's more about Hitachi alternators:


Hitachi/Yanmar Alternators: (by Maine Sail)

Some alternators though, such as those made by Hitachi and found on Yanmar diesels, are dumber than a pound of beetle poop. Actually, to the alternator, they are pretty smart but to your batteries and the speed of charging they are flat out stupid. Why?

Hitachi alts with dumb regulators, and some others, limit voltage but also reduce voltage based on alternator temperature. This is a self protective feature installed in the internal dumb regulator to prevent the alternator from cooking itself. Remember voltage is the pressure that allows more current to flow. So, if we reduce the absorption voltage, then we also reduce the current the alternator is supplying.. Any battery at any state of charge simply will not accept the same current at 13.4V that it did at 14.4V and as a result the alternator will run cooler. What do you suppose this does to your batteries over time.......?

The problem is that when cold you will get 14.3V to 14.4V out of the Hitachi but as the alternator heats up the dumb regulator begins to reduce the CV/voltage limit based on the alternators internal temperature. It is not uncommon to find a Hitachi alternator at 13.4V when hot. This is REALLY, REALLY DUMB....

If you have a dumb regulator, and notice the voltage dropping, it is likely a temp compensated dumb regulator. Get rid of it or plan to buy new batteries more often.

If you have a temp compensated alternator or a Hitachi alternator on a Yanmar you really are in dire need of external regulation if deep cycling a larger battery bank.

This is from:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com...d.php?t=125392

and these, too:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...on-125843.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...or-142083.html

[michaelratinter]

Wow, thanks everyone for the fantastic information. Much appreciated.

[Blue Ribbon]

I had same issue on my Cat 320 several years ago. Traced it to a broken pin in the wiring harness at rear of engine. Bypassed connector, problem solved. Can't recall which wire.