www.iFourWinns.com

took my 87 sundowner out today. only about a 900 acre lake and about a mile or 2 of river, still fun though. lake is only a few miles away. She ran great, except for a few problems. Motor keeps throwing off the belts. Anyone ever had that problem before? also, aprox 2000 rpm and over alt puts out 16 volts

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sundowner 235

Hi Tim,
Sounds like it's time for a new belt, as for the 16 volts that sounds OK. They usually run higher to recharge the battery and to run you electronics in the boat.
Good luck with the belt.

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2007 Four Winns H210 SS
1996 16' Lund (fishing boat)
2008 Ford Expedition Max Limited

Also check to ensure your pulleys are aligned correctly and not worn

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Check alignment on the pulleys, your alternator shouldn't be putting out much more than 14v; I would say your voltage regulator in the alternator is done. If you keep running it at 16v you run the risk of burning things out that are really only meant to use 12v (lights especially) time for a new alternator or you can get someone to change the voltage regulator but a rebuilt alternator would be easier and more cost effective.

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2000 235 Sundowner
Previously 2007 Horizon 190
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71

Yeah, 16vdc is too high. You risk having it cook the batteries and the other electronics in the boat. I'd lean toward the alternator being bad. If it's binding up somewhat it might tend to cause the belt to get thrown. It's uncommon to have it overcharge that much AND throw belts. Had the boat been laid up all winter? It's possible that more than one thing has bound up, due to rust and such.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

thanks for the info. boat has actually not been used for about 3-4 years. pullys have a little rust but I didn't think it was too bad. I'll have to clean them up. Also, not even sure I had the right pully for th alt. Other than that the boat runs great.

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sundowner 235

forgot to ask, can I use a regular car alt or does it have to be marine?

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sundowner 235

If it hasn't been used in that long then you'd do well to check and replace a bunch of other stuff. Belts, hoses, impellers, bellows, etc. Rubber parts don't last forever and you don't want to have one fail while you're out on the water.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Marine. A car alt. isn't designed for a marine environment (not just water exposure, but also fuel vapor exposure....so the car version isn't "spark free" or intrinsically safe).

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8

I had a similar issue, take all them off, sand the rust and clean them up as best as you can.

Next you want to use a rust inhibitor and blocker, Pour15 works best for this type of application. it also seals the components preventing future rust, and provides a smooth surface to keep the belts from wearing.

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

my dash instrument voltage gauge also shows a higher than normal reading (maybe 18 v. ?) but if i check at the battery with a digital multimeter, i show a normal 14-15 volts at various rpm's. given the fact that these gauges haven't proven to be all that reliable, (at least my 1995 horizon) i would double check before buying a new alt. also, my 5.0 with rusted pulleys wouldn't throw belts but would grind them down into dust in a short time.-best of luck- bk

thanks, good idea to check voltage at the batteries. Didn't think of that

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sundowner 235