Northern Lights Genset/Lugger voltage regulator question?

[Timm]

The 1985 vintage NL/Lugger genset on board our vessel appears to have blown the voltage regulator. 12 KW, Lugger 843M engine.

After fixing an overheating problem due to a rusted through freeze plug on the recirculating water expansion tank, I noticed that the voltage being supplied to the battery was 16.34 VDC. I haven't really paid much attention to the voltage gauge meter on the panel since owning the boat but was monitoring the meter panel to ensure the temperature was within specs when I noticed the voltage reading.

The only thing I could think of was the VR has gone bad. The battery was already up to full charge.

The good news is that a replacement VR is available but at a whopping $275. I see in the parts manual that there are 2 fuses located in the control panel protecting the panel gauges and VR.

Does anyone have any experience with this engine on their boat and are aware of what the VR fuse is for? It would be nice if that was the issue.

 

[Sonny]

Does the engine have a separate, belt driven alternator on the front end of the enigine, or is the 12v charging system integrated in the back end, with the 120v system?

 

[Timm]

The engine has a traditional, separate alternator with an external regulator.

 

[Sonny]

you can do much better than $275 for a regular "dumb" regulator. at $275 you are approaching smart regulator prices for the likes of balmar and xantrex. figure out the OEM (it ain't NL/L) of the alternator and you should be able to get a replacement for $100 or less.

 

[TedZ]

Presumably a separate battery?

Any NAPA $20 alternator regulator will work. Usually negative ground but both are available. Likely to say something like B, F, A on the regulator...could be letters like A B C. Wire the same way or look on line how simple VR's work with alternators. The reason it is going to 16 VDC is the relays in the VR are rusted shut and that is the max the alternator will put out. Not worth trying to fix the internals of the VR.


Ted