More Alternator Trouble

Our alternator bracket that we had welded in Windsor and inspected in Port Lambton has sheared again. We had the local mechanic in Spanish (the town, not the mechanic's native tongue) come down to take a look.  His diagnosis is that the the saddle mount on the bottom of the alternator is not a tight enough fit allowing things to vibrate.  I'm not surprised - I had lots of problems ordering the alternator in the first place and had to go to the manufacturer to get some custom spacers made to get it to fit snugly.  I was never very happy with the solution but the manufacturer assured me it would work.

The vibrating alternator has actually caused a smaller corner of a large plate on the engine to snap off.  We have ordered a replacement from Westerbeke but it is a huge undertaking to install (possibly requiring the engine to be pulled from the boat entirely!).  In the meantime the mechanic has welded the small corner to a thick plate which is bolted on the the engine and reinforces the plate.  This not only repairs the problem but should also strengthen the mount.  When the replacement parts come we will keep them onboard but if we are lucky we won't need them.

The past few days are starting to feel like fall so we are happy that tomorrow we should be turning south.  But the upside to the cold weather is the lovely misty mornings.