Electrical
Alternator

Powerline Model 23-11
120 Amps
Date Code: MAY-22-03
Serial No.: A11040
Purchased: 7/2003
Serviced: 2025

Spare alternator

Powerline Model 23-11
120 Amps
Date Code: 60297
Serial No.: A06856

14 pole alternator puts out a 50% duty cycle on the R terminal (white wire) — 7 pulses per revolution (tach takeoff not used on Willow)

The bolt on the back of the alternator is an M6x1mm thread, 20mm long. The alternator has both SAE and metric connections!

The alternator ratings are based on SAE standards — 6,000 RPM alternator speed and 78°F temperature. The maximum temperature is 300°F. The efficiency of a high-output alternator is around 49%. An automotive alternator is only around 30% efficient (Rodney Knelly at Hehr)

Pulley is a Powerline Model No. 8-603, 2.2" diameter. Crank shaft pulley is 4.75" diameter. (2.16 ratio)

The original pulley (8-609) measured at 2.7" x 7/16". The new pulley measures 2.2" x 1/2".

To remove the pulley nut, an impact wrench (rented) is magic. The nut is 15/16". Without an impact wrench, use a 5/16" hex key inserted into the center of the shaft to lock it and then use a wrench on the nut. The nut should be tightened to around 50 ft-lbs.

Defender carries parts for Powerline

Recommended alternator filters from Powerline: Electrocube (800-516-1112) G2438 fluorescent light filter on the field, G2418-150 on the power output.

Repair kit 13-113 (list $110). Rebuild the alternator every 3,000 hours. If the boat is left standing in a salty environment, the alternator may not output a voltage. If so, sand the slip rings to get rid of corrosion, sand the brushes, and reassemble. The alternator does not have any type of over-temperature current fold-back internal to it.

Rebuilt old unit that failed after about 2,000 hours (2003). The repair place said that the bearings overheated due to too tight of a belt. They suggested tightening the belt just enough to stop the pulley from being able to turn when gripped with my hand. Then, run the engine until hot and adjust the belt again. The old unit is now a spare onboard.

alternator performance curve (79445 bytes)

Alternator Filter

Installed a low-pass LC filter from Newmar. Part number 150-A This filter is supposed to remove alternator noise from the radios.

Batteries – 12V
Name Brand Case Size CCA MCA Amp-Hours Reserve Cap. (min) New
Starting Battery Best 27MHC Group 27 800 1,000 90 205 03/2023
House (starboard settee — 4x 6V) Trojan T-105     225 447 03/2023

Battery cable between house batteries is 2/0 AWG Ancor.

Size Length Width Height Weight* Ah* Stud
Group 24 10¼" 6¾" 8⅞" 37 75  
Group 27 12⅛" 6¾" 8⅞" 60 90 3/8"(+) and 5/16"(-)
Group 31 13" 6¾" 9½" 59 100  
4-D 20¾" 8¾" 9¾" 130 180  
8-D 20¾" 11⅛" 9¾" 160 225  
T-105 (GC2) 6V 10⅜" 7¼" 10⅞" 62 225 5/16"

* See BCI for the standard battery dimensions. Information may be approximate, depending on battery technology, manufacturer, etc.

Reserve Capacity = minutes to drain 25 amps @ 80ºF to 1.75V/cell (10.5V)

Amp-Hours = number of amps discharged for 20 hours @ 80ºF to 1.75V/cell (10.5V). To calculate Amp-Hours capacity at a different discharge rate, use

        CR = R * H * (CH / (R * H))P

where

CR   Amp-Hour capacity at the new discharge rate
H   Hours that the capacity was specified at
CH   Amp-Hour capacity at the specified discharge rate
R   Discharge rate
P   Peukert's exponent (about 1.24 for flooded lead-acid, 1.12 for AGM)

Amp-Hours = (Reserve Minutes * 0.4237) + 14.5 (calculated from an Excel spreadsheet)

% Charge Specific
Gravity
Voltage
(Open Circuit)
Willow
Ah Used
100 1.277 12.73 0
90 1.258 12.62 -43
80 1.238 12.50 -85
70 1.217 12.37 -128
60 1.195 12.24 -170
50 1.172 12.10 -213
40 1.148 11.96 -255
30 1.124 11.81 -298
20 1.098 11.66 -340
10 1.073 11.51 -383

from Trojan Battery User's Guide

Batteries – Dry Cell
Device Quantity Type Number Cells Total Cells Needed
Flashlight - Red Lamp 1 AAA* 3 3 21 AAA
Flashlight - Rocky LED 2 AAA* 3 6
Dinghy stern light 1 AAA* 4 4
Headlamp (red/white) 1 AAA* 2 2
Magnifying loupe 1 AAA* 3 3
Thermometer 3 AAA* 1 3
Penlight - Mag-Lite 3 AA* 2 6 25 AA
Dinghy bow light 1 AA* 4 4
Husky work light 1 AA* 6 6
GPS - Garmin 76C 1 AA* 2 2
FRS radios 2 AA* 3 6
Weems & Plath Chronometer 1 AA* 1 1
Flashlight - Dive light 1 C 4 4 4 C
Flashlight - Mag-Lite, black 3 D 2 6 6 D
Visor clip-on 1 CR2032 2 2 2 CR2032
Digital calipers 1 LR44 1 1 1 LR44

                                                                * Rechargeable available

Rechargeable batteries onboard: Eneloop 28 AA, 20 AAA (new 2021)

Battery Combiner

Hellroaring Technologies, Inc. Model BIC-75150A S/N A01C3337 (5/01). This is wired to isolate the starting battery and the boat runs everything on the house battery. The starting battery is only used for starting the engine. Replaced the first unit that failed in 2013 (internal MOSFET blown).

Battery Switch

Blue Sea Systems 5511e e-Series battery switch dual circuit plus combiner. The switch is located in the battery compartment. To get to it, lift the starboard settee cushion and the switch is near the starter battery.

Block Diagrams

Port Engine Bulkhead Starboard Engine Bulkhead

Electrical Panel

I designed and built my own electrical panel (2023) to replace the original Bass Products, Inc. (out of business). The panel has a piano hinge at the bottom, which allows me to quickly open the panel to get to all the wiring. The new panel also has an ELCI breaker to protect swimmers and others from leakage currents.


Electrical Panel Electrical Panel

Circuit Breakers: Carlingswitch AC/DC, Black Handle, #10 screw terminals

Amps Carlingswitch Part Number
5 AA1-B0-34-450-5D1-C
10 AA1-B0-34-610-5D1-C
15 AA1-B0-34-615-5D1-C
20 AA1-B0-34-620-5D1-C

The following is the circuit breaker layout on the electrical panel:

AC Breaker Amps
ELCI/AC Main 30
Battery Charger 15
AC Outlets 15
Water Heater 15
Spare 15
DC Breaker Amps
Cabin Lights 15
Accessory 40
Inverter 40
Fridge 15
Fresh Water Pump 15
Shower Sump Pump 15
Seawater Pump 20
Bilge Pump Upper 15
Bilge Pump Lower 15
Propane 15
Spare 15
DC Breaker Amps
Radios & Radar 40
Instruments 10
Instrument Lights 15
Anchor Light 5
Running Lights 15
Steaming Light 15
Tricolor Light 10
Spreader Lights 15
Autopilot 20

The Lectra/San circuit breaker CB1 (75 amps) is located in the engine compartment on the port side.

Fuses

FB1 - Fuse Block 1 (Port Top) (Blue Sea 5025)

ID Type Size Comments
FB1-0     Ground Battery combiner (ATC 2A fuse)
FB1-0     Engine room light
FB1-0     Upper bilge pump
FB1-0     Lower bilge pump
FB1-1 ATC 5A Engine room light
FB1-2 ATC 2A BAT1 (House Bank) sense to Link 2000 B1V (blue wire)
FB1-3 ATC 30A Battery Combiner A
FB1-4 ATC 5A Upper bilge pump
FB1-5 ATC  
FB1-6 ATC 5A Lower bilge pump

FB2 - Fuse Block 2 (Port Bottom) (Blue Sea 5028)

ID Type Size Comments
FB2-1 ATC 30A Battery combiner C
FB2-2 ATC 2A BAT2 (Starting Battery) to Link 2000 B2V (violet wire)
FB2-3 ATC  
FB2-4 ATC  
FB2-5 ATC  
FB2-6 ATC  

FB3 - Fuse Block 3 (Starboard) (Blue Sea 5035)

ID Type Size Comments
FB3-1 ATC 10A Power to Ideal Regulator
FB3-2 ATC 2A Ideal Regulator sense to Alternator (yellow wire)
FB3-3 ATC 2A Ideal Regulator sense to Battery (green wire)
FB3-4 ATC    
FB3-5 ATC    
FB3-6 ATC    

Other Fuses

Location Type Size
Battery Combiner to FB1 ATC 2A
SSB RT Head(1) AGC 5A
SSB RT Head(2) AGC 5A
SSB XCVR(1) AGC 30A
SSB XCVR(2) AGC 30A
SSB XCVR(3) AGC 5A
A/P FS1 ATC 30A
A/P FS2 ATC 5A
A/P FS3 ATC 5A
A/P FS4 ATC 5A
Lectra/San MDL 35A
Lectra/San MDL 30A
Lectra/San MDL 6¼A
Lectra/San 5x20mm 5A fast-acting
Furuno GPS 5x20mm 1A
Galvanic Isolator

Installed behind electrical panel. From Yacht Corrosion Consultants (Professional Mariner) Zinc Saver: Installed 1999.

Lighting
Location Manufacturer Model No. Lamp Bulb/Base Amps Notes
Bow nav light Hella Marine Naviled PRO 959941001 Built-in Bi-Color LED -- 0.14 2 nm (new 2025)
Stern nav light Aqua Signal Series 40 HQRP G9-33SMD2835-3W (LED) T-8/BAY15D 0.25 310 lumens
10W 90005-7 (original) 0.83 150 lumens (?)
Tachometer     Alla Lighting T10-3014-18R (2021) W2.1x9.5d Mini Wedge 0.16 220 lumens
IA62995 (1 or 2 candle-power, wedge base), GE 161 (original bulb) 0.21 13 lumens
Engine Gauges     Phinlion BA9S-2835-5SMD-R (red) T-3¼/BA9S 0.33  
1893 (Dialight LED p/n 585-4213 ultra-red $6, LedLight p/n BF321CR3K-14V-P).
Can also use 756, 1813, 1889, or 1892 lamps (>13V).
Steaming Light Perko 964 DP CHR SiriusLED CB 31mm SV8.5 Festoon, 31mm length 0.14 400 lumens
71 DP CLR 0.83 100 lumens
Dome light - nav station ABI 7" White: Sensibulb LED G4 0.24 150 lumens
Red: G4-3014-48-LED 95mA 200 lumens
Original White: 20W halogen G4 1.67 300 lumens
Original Red: 10W halogen 0.83 120 lumens
Dome light—near head ?? ?? Replaced the white LEDs with LED strips of 2700K   0.05 ~90 lumens
Spreader Deck Lights ?? ?? GE 4411-1 35W 300 hours   6.0  
Mizzen Deck Light ?? ?? 1383 12V 20W R12 BA15S 1.67 160 lumens
Bonlux 1383 12V 4W (LED) 0.33 300 lumens
Cabin reading lights Bass Products 10-2222 (double swivel),
10-2162 (single swivel)
90
94 (default)
1004
1142
G-6/BA15D 0.58
1.02
0.94
1.44
6 CP, 75 lumens
15 CP, 188 lumens
15 CP, 190 lumens
21 CP, 264 lumens
PLT-300271
(LED)
BA15D 0.33 410 lumens, 2700K
(Replaced all 6/2016)
Chart light Hella Marine 2AB 004 532-061 Phinlion BA9S-3030-5SMD-W white LED BA9S   400 lumens
Osram 3886X or Trifa 1639 0.50 85 lumens
Tricolor/Anchor Orca Green Marine LXTA-P LED n/a 0.50 Photocell on anchor light (replaced 12/2008)
Light above stove Alpenglow Tuscany NV White/Red (upgraded from CFL to LEDs 2017)   0.5 White
0.04 Red
White: 600 lumens, 2700K

 

Lamp Base Information

Designation Description Diameter
BA9S Miniature bayonet, single contact 9 mm
BA15D Bayonet, double contact 15 mm
BA15S Bayonet, single contact 15 mm
BAY15D Bayonet, double contact, indexed 15 mm

T-3¼ Incandescent mini bayonet-base lamps for engine instrument gauges:

Lamp NAED Volts Amps Candela Hours
161   14.0 0.21 13lm 4,000
756 35771 14.0 0.08 0.3 15,000
1815 37329 14.0 0.20 1.4 3,000
1816 37333 13.0 0.33 3.0 1,000
1893 37505 14.0 0.33 2.0 2,500
3886X   12.0 0.50 6?  

I had a problem with the 1893 lamps turning black (silver?) just running the instruments overnight. I installed a diode in-line with the positive feed, which dropped the voltage 0.7V and stopped the lamp problem.

To convert from candela to lumens:

Lumens = Candela * 2 * π * (1 - cos(θ/2))
    θ in radians

To get an approximation of watts to lumens (incandescent lamp, not halogen):

Lumens = (0.0573 * Watts2) + (13.034 * Watts) - 120.6

The following is the section from the COLREGs regarding lamp brightness:

8. Intensity of lights

(a) The minimum luminous intensity of lights shall be calculated by using the formula:

I = 3.43 x 106 x T x D2 x K-D

where:

I is luminous intensity in candelas under service conditions.

T is threshold factor 2 x 10-7 lux.

D is range of visibility (luminous range) of the light in nautical miles,

K is atmospheric transmissivity. For prescribed lights the value of K

shall be 0.8, corresponding to a meteorological visibility of

approximately 13 nautical miles.

Lightning Protection

From Dr. Charles Moore, New Mexico Tech

The rig is bonded to underwater through the engine (at least for now). Green 6 AWG wire used throughout (2002).

Noise (EMF) Reduction

To reduce refrigeration hum in SSB:

Grounded unused conductors in thermistor lead to the metal chassis ground of the refrigeration unit.

Patchboard

Under the nav station lid is a patch board for connecting together the wiring for the AIS, GPS, VHF, and nav station chart light. Here are the front side and the back sides, and the schematic (click the thumbnail images to expand):

Patchboard Front Patchboard Back Patchboard Schematic
Terminal Blocks

TB1

#8 screws. Bilge Pumps (LBP-Lower Bilge Pump, UBP-Upper Bilge Pump). Located under floorboard near engine inlet strainer. The following is from the top to the bottom:

A-Screw Circuit B-Screw
Wire 39-16R TB1-1 UBP-Brown (+12V)
Breaker Switch TB1-2 UBP-Brown/White
Wire 39-16B TB1-3 UBP-Black (Gnd)
Wire 38-16R TB1-4 LBP-Brown (+12V)
Wire 38-16B TB1-5 LBP-Black (Gnd)
Breaker Switch TB1-6 LBP-Brown/White
Towed Water Generator

Hamilton Ferris

Prop - plastic 8¼" x 5" three-bladed prop (OMC 386587, $50).

Diodes - 1N1200A 12A, Vf 0.95V @ 5A 25°C. Can be replaced with IR 63CPQ100, 100A, Vf 0.6V @ 5A 25°C

Tricolor/Anchor Light

Orca Green Marine, model LXTA-P. This is an LED-based combo light at the top of the mast. Measured current @12V of 0.4A for either one being on. The anchor light turns off at sunrise with a built-in photocell in the green sector.

The light has a waterproof connector on the bottom. The mating cable is a Conxall Nano-Mizer 603ST2. The included cable has 24 AWG wires. The contacts are gold-plated.

My original unit failed with water intrusion. OGM replaced it under warranty 12/2008.

Tricolor Pinout

USB Outlets

There are three USB-A outlets around Willow's cabin. These are part number #PA#/HRNA from 12vtechnology.com. These are duplex outlets, with each USB port rated at 2.4A. They are in the saloon:

There is also a USB outlet on the AC inverter at the nav station.

Wiring
Wiring Schematic Electrical Panel
ID AWG Color Description
AP 14 R/B Circuit breaker "Autopilot" to autopilot
B0 6 B Ground from battery charger to SHØ
B1 6 R Positive from battery charger to PP1
B2 6 R Positive from battery charger to PP2
03 1/0 R Starter motor solenoid to PP2
04 8 R PP2 to FB2 positive
05 2 R PP1 to Lectra/San circuit breaker CB1
06 2 R Lectra/San circuit breaker CB1 to Lectra/San+
07 2 B SHØ to Lectra/San-
08 2/0 R Battery switch 2 to House Bank+
09 2/0 B SH2 to Starting Battery-
10 16 R/B FB1-1 to Engine Room Light
11 8 R PP1 to fuse block FB1 positive
12 10 R FB2-1 to Battery Combiner "C" (Starting Battery)
13 10 R FB1-3 to Battery Combiner "A" (House Bank)
14 16 Y Battery Combiner Ground to FB1 (2A ATC fuse) ground
15 6 B FB1 Ground to SHØ
16 6 R Circuit breaker "Radio" to SSB/VHF
17 6 B SSB/VHF- to SHØ
18 2/0 B Starting motor ground to SHØ
19 2/0 R Battery switch 2 to PP1
20 2/0 B House Bank- to SH1
21 16 R FB3-1 to SH3 (Alternator)
22 14 R/B Electrical Panel to Accessory V-Berth
23 2 R Alternator to noise filter
24 2 R Noise filter to SH3
25 2 R SH3 to PP3
26 16 R/B Power to fuse box for pumps (???)
27      
28      
29      
30 16 R/B Anchor light (???)
31 16 R/B Steaming light (???)
33 2 B Starting motor ground to alternator ground stud
34 10 R/B Tricolor (???)
35 12 R/B Electrical Panel to Running lights
36 16 P Engine alarm connection (???)
37 16 Br FB3-1 to Ideal Regulator
38 16 R/B FB1-6 to lower bilge pump Terminal Block
39 16 R/B FB1-4 to upper bilge pump Terminal Block
50 16 R/B Port cabin USB outlet
51 10 R/B Inverter at nav station
52 16 R/B Propane sniffer to terminal block aft galley sink
60   W/B/G Water heater
61   W/B/G AC outlets
62   W/B/G Battery charger
70 14 R/B Electrical Panel to TIllerPilot power
71 16 R Electrical Panel to Spreader lights—main mast
72 16 W/Bl Electrical Panel to Spreader light—mizzen mast
73 16 B/W Electrical Panel to Instruments
74 12 R/B Electrical Panel to Seawater pump
75 10 G Electrical Panel to Cabin lights
76 16 W/B Electrical Panel to Stereo
77 16 R/B Electrical Panel to Fresh water pump
78 10 R/B Electrical Panel to Accessory (12V cig. lighter) outlet
79 16 G Electrical Panel to Anchor light
80 16 W Electrical Panel to Sump pump
81 16 Y Electrical Panel to Bilge pump—Lower Terminal Block
82 16 Gr Electrical Panel to Steaming light
83 16 R Electrical Panel to Instrument lights
84 10 R/B Electrical Panel to Inverter below Electrical Panel
85 6 R Electrical Panel to Fridge
86 10 R/B Electrical Panel to Tricolor
87 16 W/B Electrical Panel to Radar
88 10 R/B Alternator voltage regulator power (???)
89 2 R PP3 to Electrical Panel
90 16 R/B Electrical Panel to terminal block aft galley sink to Propane solenoid
91 16 R Electrical Panel to Bilge pump—Upper Terminal Block
92 2/0 R Battery switch 1 to Starting Battery+
93 2/0 R Battery switch 1 to Starter motor solenoid
94 4 B Starting motor ground to Electrical Panel ground
100 2 R PP1 to PP3
ID Color
B Black
Bl Blue
Br Brown
Gr Gray
G Green
Or Orange
P Purple
R Red
V Violet
W White
Y Yellow

Green wires are for bonding. The 6 AWG wire is for lightning bonding and 8 AWG wire is for cathodic bonding.