Alternator/rectifier

[jimbosplumbing]

I Have a suzuki dt 40 2008 model, would like to know if i need to buy a rectifier or if it all ready comes with one. How do i test the voltage being produced by the lighting coil?
THanks to anyone that can help

[finga]

Is there a plug on the outside of the motor?
They seem to have a 80W lighting coil in them but whether or not yours is DC is something to be investigated.

Do you have a multimeter? This is the easiest way to see if the output is AC or DC.

If there is not a rectifier/regulator there it may well be as easy as plugging the gismo in.

Obviously it's not an electric start is it?
If it is then your right as rain
Cheers then
Scott

[jimbosplumbing]

Yeah i ended up testing it yesterday. ac it is. Are the rectifiers a regulator as well?

[finga]

No. a rectifier makes the voltage DC from the AC output from the charging thingo on your motor and a regulator regulates the amount of current going to your battery.
Usually though the rectifier and regulator are made into the one unit which you buy and shove under the cowl of your outboard.

Sometimes a regulator is not necessary if you have a decently sized battery but I prefer to have a regulator there somewhere.

[oldboot]

On the basic lighting coil type electrical systems, the system is designed arround a specific sized battery, the rectifyer is simply that, a couple of big diodes nothing more.

using a battery arround the right size and the lighting coil will be loaded up by the battery and it will sort of regulate...all a bit rough by sofisticated enectrical standards, but they work.

Put a battery too small and the output from the coil will be too high and the battery will be overcharged, put too big a battery and the coil will fail to achive a suitable charging voltage.

There will be a recommended battery size.....go a little either way from that & you will be fine, go too far and you will have a problem.

There have been a couple of members who have proven this in the past.....by finding out the hard way.

If you don't already have preferably a factory service manual for your motor.....best to get one....aftermarket is better than none but factory is best.
It will tell you what charging systems were available on your motor and how to identify them...and it should tell you the recommended battery size...as well as many other things you should know.

BTW and a big CAUTION......do not run a motor with a chagring system on a boat without a battery connected...if you want to run the motor without a battery you must disconnect before the rectifyer or regulator.
The are magneto charging systems and can produce very high voltages unloaded..these high voltages can blow the rectifyer/regulator in very short order.

cheers