Managing heat in engine compartment

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AMCarter3
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Managing heat in engine compartment

Post by AMCarter3 »

We had a high capacity Electromaax 180 amp alternator installed on our Port engine self-destruct recently. The source of the failure, as best we and several "experts" we consulted can determine, is 2 faulty solder connections at the rectifier on the alternator. There are no other signs of over-heating inside the alternator. We are going to replace the defective alternator with a different brand high capacity alternator (Balmar 165 amp "AT" model). (We need a high capacity alternator to charge our 4 - 220 amp house AGM batteries.)

As part of the "fix", we are looking at the question of how HEAT generated by a high capacity alternator is handled inside the port engine compartment. Currently, there is NOT much air flow at the front of the engine where the alternator is mounted. So, we are considering doing something to improve air flow inside the engine compartment. Not sure what that might be at this point.

I'd like to know if any of you have dealt with this issue and what you did to improve air flow inside the engine compartment.
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Mac Carter
2006 34' PDQ PowerCat "All Heart"; MV 98; twin 100 HP Yanmars
Home Port: Bellingham WA 98229
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