124. How NOT to change a narrowboat alternator
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- Опубликовано: 18 янв 2018
- #narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
When taking the narrowboat to a marina for work on the bilge and also to get the hull blacked, I noticed that the batteries didn't seem to be holding a charge and also that the alternator was disturbingly warm.
The result was that I bought a new alternator and fitted it. This is the (almost "real-time") recording of my hamfisted work, including several things you shouldn't do when changing an alternator.
Got a question? Read this!
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the RUclips music library
I just watched all 36 minutes of this video (I'm a woman with no interest in engines; and I couldn't do any DIY to save my life) just because I find they way you explain things to the camera absolutely hilarious.
"I lost my little spanner, auhhh... oh, there it is", etc. The written comments and the accelerated camera moments add to the comedy of the whole thing.
Really good videos, keep posting them and we will watch them, thanks for the giggles.
Thank you. This is very lovely and very reassuring to read :-)
I'm glad to see you had the appropriate Safety Slippers on when standing in your incredibly clean bilge.
For future reference, if you want to release a video buttering toast, I'd bet most of us would watch. We love your videos!
Haha, thank you. I'll add that one to the list :-)
I can't for the life of me understand why I enjoy your vlogs so much. I think I must put it down to your presentational and editing skills. Oh, and of course, your natural charisma.
Here in the States you bring the old part- generator, starter motor, alternator etc. with you to the store. We get credit for what's called the "core" -old part, and match up the two to make sure the new part will fit. If you have a good service person they would have changed out the pulley for you gratis. Leaving the top nut for last would have made the removal a bit easier . Kudos for your perseverance and learn as you go attitude. Love the vlogs.Your 5 pound sledge hammer is what we engineers and mechanics call a "Persuader" 😁.
I am single woman that does not shy away from too many DIY projects. But, I will not ever tackle something like this. Regardless, this was the most fun 36 minutes of viewing I've had in a while. I was giggling and laughing, especially at your remarks and pauses. Thank you! Thank you for posting even when you were hesitant because, well...just fun to watch and I did learn a few things and was reassured that I'm not the only person who talks to objects that are giving he trouble. Loving all your Vlogs/not a vlogs in Oklahoma!!
As a marine mechanic for over 40 years .............sorry but I had a good laugh! I enjoy your enthusiasm and your videos.
I'm genuinely pleased you had a laugh!! :-)
Frank Kreyssig As a marine mechanic of 40 years do you have anything useful to add? What would you have done differently for a job like this?
Hi David. I'm an Electrical Officer in the Merchant Navy and I think you did a good job. But when working on anything with wires, take pictures of the wiring with your mobile phone before removing anything. It's then easy to put the wires back the same way by referring to the pictures you took. It will save you time and boost your confidence that when you switch back on, nothing will go BANG!
Cheers, yes as I was filming it I intended to refer back to that if I needed to
That's the first mechanic I've ever seen wearing slippers :-D
All the best mechanics are wearing them these days :-)
That was a bit painful to watch, . . . . . .however, having said that, I do admire your pluck and determination. You're intelligent enough to know when a thing is wrong and you puzzle it out and think it through. You have good instincts for how it 'aught to' work and the patience to keep going when the feint of heart would simply quit, or drop the bloody thing in the canal. It's only a lack of experience that held you up a bit. It's good you weren't paying 'by the hour' on this job. In the end, IT WORKED, and that must have given you a great sense of satisfaction. You're also very brave to post this video. Mechanics who were watching were probably reduced to tears by your struggles. I sat here wanting to help you, shouting at the screen, "No, no, the spacer goes there." I need a beer!
That Hex slot in the face of the shaft is for a Allen Wrench to hold the shaft while you tighten the Large nut on the outside with your spanner. LOL, My hat is off to ya, this is what every one goes threw, is The Learning Curve. Great Job !
Yeah, I noticed that just when he'd got the pulley off. And of course there's a similar socket in the shaft of the new one.
So pleasing to see someone else with a similar strategy and approach to practical tasks as myself: attempt the task with pliers and a hammer (bigger the better), break everything and then pay someone to repair and replace everything.
God I love watching men work on engines that have never done it before . Full credit to you for not giving up and or throwing a tantrum . Very satisfying isn’t it !! How much skin did you lose ?
a romantic evening of an middle-aged couple: watching this vlog together by a warm fireplace 😊
I laughed. I cried. I rejoiced in the knowledge that I'm too much of a numpty to even THINK I could do this!
One of the joys of living on a boat i found was being catapulted regularly into repairs well outside my comfort zone, and pulling it off without a parachute. I take my hat off to you sir.
There seems to be a lot of it on boats!
Absolutely brilliant, had me shouting at the TV (I’m an engineer) laughing and almost crying. You seem to have created the most complicated way to change an alternator, the bottom bolt spacer part had me in tears (of laughter) as all you have to do is tighten the bolt and the back spacer is an interference fit and will slide to the correct position when you tighten it. Well done.
Good fun and good on him 😂👍
None of your videos are boring, I’m loving all videos off Cruising the cut 🤗🤗
Glad to see you were wearing your safety slippers. Comfort is very important when doing DIY. It is good to see someone else "enjoying" DIY; I myself have spent a "happy" few hours today cutting a mattress into 3 sections (don't ask).
I do wonder sometimes if I shouldn't also be smoking a pipe whilst I pad around in slippers...
Dude!! I give you an oceans worth of credit for even THINKING about changing a part you know abso-freakin-lutely NOTHING about, & just using your sense of logic. Dude--thats balls, plain&simple. You're a hero.👍👏
Hahaha thank you
A tip from a former repairman and motorman at sea is to read the manual. It usually have god tips like using an allen key to remove the pully. Fun episode. Big plus for trying and doing till its done :)
If only there was a manual!
@@CruisingTheCut I belive it is somewhere. But its hard to find when I dont know the model of it. Do you have the workshop manual for your engine? Otherwise you can find it here: engine.od.ua/lister . And if you show the model and make of your alternator I can link the manual for you. Maybe just get a good shot at the label of it in the next vlog.
Jolly good show old boy. For someone who claims (or claimed) to have no mechanical nous, I think you handled that pretty well, and saved a few bob in the process. Top job. :)
Coming from you that's high praise indeed, thank you!
A good half of DYI work is being brave enough to attempt something out of your comfort level. You've come a long way from when you started living on the boat. :) Not many people are willing to let someone watch over their shoulder whilst they attempt a repair. Great work as usual.
Thank you Bill, much appreciated :-)
As an old maintenance man,I like to take a photo of the job BEFORE I disassemble any thing.
Not dull David, never dull, always entertaining.
One of my favourite video's of all you've done - had me laughing through most of it :).
Glad my pain gave you some enjoyment ;-)
My husband is hiding in the garage..... as an engineer he couldn't watch this!! As a woman who knows nothing about engines I think you did good!! Well done you!!
You are both very wise, in your own ways. I hope hubby doesn't change his mind, he won't like it.
Okay I know this video is from forever ago, but a solution to the difficulty in removing that nut from the shaft comes in the form of a slot for a hex key in the middle of the threaded rod. If you stick a nice L-shaped hex key of the right size you can use that to hold the threaded rod still so you can then tighten it with a spanner. Regardless, cheers and good job doing some good 'ole fashioned DIY the way I would: any way that gets the job done! (Apologies if I'm far from the first to point this out).
This blog was quite a show insanely hilarious an frustrating at the same time definitely wish I could have reached through the screen an lended a hand and may I suggest a live feed during maintenance so we can help lol
Glad to see you wearing full PPE fluffy slippers David.
Well, I could see you entered my world at the start when the socket would not separate from the bolt. What stamina! What courage! Well done!
Hahaha
For someone who I believe admitted wasn’t much of it DYII guy, you did a terrific job, and you have good logic during your assembly. - forgive me, coming from someone who’s put on many alternators it was fun to watch somebody else struggle for a change. 👍
Thanks!
Fair play to you for having a go at changing your alternator, it was quite painful for me to watch as I'm a trained mechanic of 34 years, but to be fair you got the job done and it didn't catch fire ! For future reference in the end of that particular alternator shaft there is normally an 8mm allen key hole, it's put there so you don't have to shove a screwdriver in the windings to get the pulley off :) Having said all this i love watching your canal adventures and i expect you are much better at making and editing video's than a mechanic !
We are all here saying that the rotor is still turning while you hold the fan trying to loosen and then tighten up the pully nut. And just pull the long bolt out, it isn't threaded. But what a great show, much more entertaining than if you were a professional mechanic. Also if you test fit the alternator before you fit the pully you can make sure the pullies are all aligned before final assembly. Best to check the alignment with a straight edge. The squeal might have been misalignment.
I know little about mechanical matters. My family ran a pub. I know a lot about that but not a lot else. I find David's videos very useful. He says he isn't good at DIY and has tackled many things on his boat where I would not know where to start.
It is so nice to see someone almost as capable as me insteads of these mechanical marvels who seem to be able to do everything with their eyes closed and without getting a drop of dirt on them..
Hi David, my wife and I are working our way through your vlogs, and are enjoying them.
I'm a mechanic and have taught lots of students in my time on mechanical/ welding etc practices.
You did a fine job of swapping out the alt, and indeed you want to do a good job, well done. Did you have a great sense of achievement on completion, or rather just glad it was over? Your boat is a credit to you.
Thank you! I was mostly glad it was done and worked but also quite chuffed :-)
NO! It wasn't "Dull & boring" and I laughed quite a lot. That might say a lot more about me than anything else though. LOVED the video. ALL the best. (Maybe do a diagram of everything as you go for future use. )
Thank you!
One of your best and most amusing videos. I, too, have found myself in that position far too many times---jumping in there to give it a fighting try to, do something I have never done before, that needs to be done, when I am the only one around to do it. I admire your courage, your stick-to-it, never-give-up attitude and your ingenuity in figuring out to make things work that don't work as they should. And hooray for your success in the end!! Keep the videos coming, I love seeing any and all parts of your boating life.
Well done ..this is what boating is all about
I do enjoy your DYI vlogs, and I mean no disrespect here, but like myself, you don't seem like a DIY genius but you somehow manage to get the job done. I hate those guys that do the job perfectly have everything they need for the job and get it done in two minutes with no problems. They make me feel so inadequate. I do find that swear words at the appropriate moment in time are a very important toll 😁
Very late , but most alternators have provision to put a hex key wrench in the end of the shaft to hold it for tightning the pulley.
Alway take lots of photo of items on which you're working, before starting.
Especially wiring connection. Luv you Vlogs!
This is maybe the most honest video of mechanics on RUclips. Well played.
Thank you
Flat multi v belts need to be tighter than standard V belts, you obviously know that now. (Im a trained motor mechanic- i loved your struggle to what seemed like something simple to me). Well done all the same.
Glad you uploaded this
Well I’m impressed because my Dad always viewed any form of DIY being if in doubt hit it with a hammer. I’ve never met anyone else with a similar view!! But my father was the nicest kindest man so you aren’t in bad company. 😊
'w' stands for wire, yep that sounds technical enough. I have no idea how you make these videos of things I have no interest in so entertaining but keep making them 🙂
Thank you!
Watching you trying to use the pliers to take off the bolts from the alternate I kept saying to the screen "remember that red socket set you found a couple videos ago????"
lol
DIY, engine bay, and slippers. perfect.
I think we can safely say the DIY wasn't perfect but the rest, maybe!
They might have been safety slippers!
God bless us all for learning things David! The good stuff never ends! It’s just amazing that we are on the water and so far away from it all.
:-)
Not a bit boring. At this viewing I can surmise that over 14,000 other people don’t think it’s boring either. I enjoyed spending part of my Saturday with you David. Thanks!
Splendid! Thank you :-)
AGM (Advanced Glass Mat) batteries are a wonder aren't they? I use one on my motorcycle. No liquids to check, no irritating drain tube to run through the chassis and you can mount them in any position which is nice if the motorcycle should wind up in other than its ordained vertical position because no battery acid draining out onto parts unknown, some of which may be you. Definitely worth the extra dollars. And boy, do they hold a charge! Dropped a mere half a volt after being left on the bike for an entire Canadian winter.
A great choice for boating, David.
The first comment I read was an embarrassment! I don't think so, if you don't try you never learn. Mr Regnills should try to fit a Turbo breather pipe to Mercedes Vario engine you can just get one click of a racket spanner at a time on a jubilee clip! I have been watching you and several other You Tube bloggers & now in the process of purchasing my first narrow boat, I hope you keep up the good work
Thank you!
IMPRESSIVE JOB! I remember the first alternator I changed... I refer to your self-control -
I had to laugh at some of the expletives, “ absolute pig” was a good one. I waited for a slip-up but you remained a true gentleman. Seriously, changing an alternator is one more skill you’ve taught yourself. Good for you!
Thanks Rick! It certainly was a learning experience.
That was a very painful, but a hugely entertaining video to watch! I’d imagine every marine and mechanical engineer the world over will be cringing watching this!! I reckon I could’ve done that job in 10 minutes. But fear not- I am a huge fan and are seriously enjoying your vlogs and shall continue to do so. 😊
I enjoyed every minute of this 😂
😂😂😂👍
....so realistic. Changing a belt on a ‘65 Corvair includes standing on my head.
Far from boring ! Absolutely hooked from start to finish. Comforting to see that someone else suffers the same experiences with similar vocabulary as I do when tackling a 15 minute job.
Great! Cheers
This is the first time I've ever added a comment but this video was too entertaining not to say "Well Done." A beautiful example of what we go through when we attempt doing something we don't do on a regular basis.
Hello Robert! Thank you for logging in to comment - much appreciated!
think you just earned yourself a double G&T. and now i know why i dont work on engines!!
F.y.i. the nuts on the pully are held in place by the torque of the motor. The direction of rotation by the motor pulls the alternator in the tightening direction so it can't come loose. You always need an impact gun to remove them. Never mind the rude,ignorant trolls out there! You did a bang up job for your first time. And yes I am a retired diesel mechanic.
Cheers Doug
@@CruisingTheCut I am in the usa and so you will understand when I say I have a beer in hand sitting on the stern with friends! We all hope all is well with you🍻🍺
Alternative Comedy at its best.
Well done David you always make me smile, keep up the good work.
Cheers David
I do believe that is the classic method for replacing an alternator! Don't let anyone tell you different. Love your Videos!
(New subscriber!) As an ex garage owner, it would be very easy and join in the rest of the armchair critics and ask what the hell were you thinking!? But I must admit to doffing my cap and say "its a learning curve well addressed". Its your boat/engine/alternator do as you wish with it. On a good point, doing your own repairs/maintenance will, over time, save a small fortune. Happy days. @
Thank you
@@CruisingTheCut LOL Presently watching Marsworth to Slapton ! Excellent site.
A broken diode will cause the alternator to be putting out AC, rather than the DC current it needs to charge the batteries. Had it happen on an Opel GT automobile, and it toasted a mechanical regulator. I took the alternator apart to find a broken solder joint; resoldered it and all was well again after replacing the voltage regulator (which couldn't regulate because it was getting AC, rather than DC!).
Oh David, I think I may have a little cry, I had all the tools you needed on the boat that day.
Hahaha, now you tell me?! Never mind, having the right tools would have made for a substantially lesser learning experience :-)
The Play 'Comedies of errors' comes to mind but I totally admire you having a go and realising that if you do go wrong you would openly admit you have. Thanks for the comedy show. Regards, Geoff.
Dude, you have no idea what a Triumph replacing that alternator was...👏👏
remeber to check tighting on belt after some running
Good point!
You did well for someone that spent i am guessing most of their working life polishing the trouser seat and using grey matter and fingers. On a lighter note you have no signs whatsoever of a bald spot,not even an inkling of a sunroof on top of that dome. Well done sir and congratulations.
Yep, a good head of hair :-)
I used to glaze over when I saw a wiring diagram but after paying the mechanic $120 per hour I studied up and now feel confident at diagnosing and fixing it myself.
Videos like this are a great tool for people like myself it takes the fear factor out of it. A bench vice would be a handy thing to have on that boat.
After seeing many marine "engineers" basically "fix" things with a hammer, I thought I could do that myself and now I use the hammer on everything whether it needs it or not ;-)
That's not a hammer - as any Manchester mechanic will tell you it is a Birmingham spanner
i know this is many years too late but the shaft has a hex hole in it . you are supposed to use a large allen key to hold the shaft while you undo it with a spanner...commented half way through so apologies if you figure it out..lol
When doing mechanical/electrical work you should remove rings and watches. You don't want to catch them on bits or short anything with jewelry you're wearing. There are some really awful injuries caused by not removing these things. On a similar note, beware of loose clothing (neck ties, etc) and long hair around machinery.
That was the funniest thing I have seen for ages - many thanks.
Nice to see someone else who repairs things like I do. It's always a learning process and some rework to get thing spot on.
Next time, to remove pulley use a 'ALLEN WRENCH" in the end of shaft to loosen nut Never use a screw driver. just a tip.
If it's threaded for an allen, and if you have the often-ludicrous size required. Most people don't have an 18mm male hex hanging around.
On the other hand everyone has a stout screwdriver and a spanner/wrench. :)
KrikkitWarlord here in the USA you can get a complete set of metric or SAE hex sockets for about $20 at the discount tool store chain. The hex socket goes in the center hole and you orient the spanner on the nut offset by about 10 degrees from the hex socket handle. Grab both handles at the same time with both hands and squeeze. You’ll get tremendous mechanical advantage and that nut will easily break free. Reverse orientation when installing the new pulley. Don’t go too crazy tightening it because that is a lot of torque.
You are looking like a Supercar mechanic there in your slippers
😂
Ahhh.... another bang on things mechanic!! Great video as always!
One of the best video s you’ve ever done .
I am so glad you don't own an airplane.
😂😂😂😂
OK, a post to an old video.
But I've seen this fault so many times. Alternator faults are usually the brushes, bearings or the diodes. Not personally seen any other failures. All are repairable. Just diodes take a bit of fettling and soldering. The others are simple spanner work.
BTW, a giveaway to the diode issue may be that the ignition light stays on when the engine is stopped and ignition off. Though this depands on how the system is wired and which diode has died.
Cheers. In this case the ignition light wasn't on but the battery was depleting and the alternator got hot if I remember correctly.
I've only ever had the brushes go and you usually get lenty of warning noise before total failure. Exchange units for cars/vans. Working on a boat looks a doddle as you are working downhill rather than stood in a qit with the alternator in one hand (weighted like a ten qin bowl) offering it uq to the brackets with bar bolts in the other hand - and a tight fit in the engine bay. ( key not working - I make do with q :))
Bravo ... you do make this stuff look a lot easier than the first time I recall doing it as a young lad!
Your vlogs are always interesting and I love chilling in my hotels listening trough headphones to your dulcet tones .
ucan put a allen wernch in the end of the shaft
You are right. Forgot about that one.
I do hope your alternator wasn't made by Lucas - the "Prince of Darkness" in automotive and maritime electrical systems. Remember the famous "Why do the English drink warm beer? Because they have Lucas refrigerators".
It's a Lucas ;-)
My first car was a 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spyder. It was in dire condition but ran most of the time and I paid $600 for it in 1966. It had been in several accidents before I bought it and some idiot had replaced the original Marinelli electrics with Lucas!
Over the three years I owned it all of the serious problems were electrical. I had my automotive education with it. The greatest lesson I learned was Lucas sucks. BTW Top Gear say you can't be a petrol head if you haven't owned an Alfa Romeo!
I really enjoyed this. It made me LOL. It reminded me of the first gearbox change I did on a car armed with nothing more than 3 open ended spanners, 2 screwdrivers, no experience, hope and a need to get the job done.
As a retired mechanic I approve of this video! Well done sir!
Just being pragmatic which is good.
Hi, David, next time when you do this type of work, remember use few F words, that will definately make job much easier 😂😂😂
Yes, to be sure, as Calvin & Hobbes suggests, "be sure you are familiar with the suitable expletives and know how to properly use them".
A top vlog, thank you, it made me LOL.... but I have reported you to the RSPCA. I have certainly been there done that, well done for the honest and open sharing of your trials and tribulations. Keep them coming. On last thing, Screwfix do a really cheap but essential boiler suit, saves the jeans and t shirt plus it makes you feel more like a mechanic !!
RSPCA?
CruisingTheCut Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to Alternators......
Ha! I shall go into hiding :-)
I absolutely had no clue to what you was doing but totally enjoyed watching this, oddly enough I think I learned a few things ☺ Thanks for sharing and showing us how to do things we have never done before.
And never should do again!
that was very painful to mwatch
Try being the chap doing it!
did you forget your socket set in the port well locker
and that is why you should comment after watching the entire video.
You may have felt this to be a boring vlog, but having developed an alternator problem of my own, I remembered this blog. I looked it up on your channel and found it to be really, really useful! Thank you so much for posting it!
Of all these marvelous vlogs, this wins the award for entertainment!
Technical tension..................you mean torque?🤣
This reminds me of the adventure I had when I took the top and doors off my Dad's 1976 Ford Bronco by myself (with help of a winch). I began to regret my decision after about a million bolts and almost as many curse words. The bruised knuckles were totally worth it!
But did you ever get them back on again?!
Oh no! That torture was enough for this lady! It's been designated for warm weather adventures only. It is a lot of fun to drive with the top and doors off. When the doors are off it has inserts that bolt in to give it a more finished look.
That was a very amusing video David, and great to watch, especially when you were trying to get the centre nut off the alternator! i had 2 cups of tea while watching that, this is why your channel is so good! (I missed this video when it first went out back in 2018) , great video all the same.