Balmar alternator diode replacement

[TQA]

Has anyone replaced a rectifier diode on a Balmar 60 alternator?

How is the diode held in place?

Any advice on a diode workaround? Ie a free floating or external diode.

[fairbank56]

You must replace the diode rectifier assembly which houses all six diodes. This is no simple task for the inexperienced to attempt as you must desolder the stator wires from the rectifier assembly. There is no workaround. The rectifier assembly is the heat sink for the diodes. The assembly is held in place with torx screws. You would need an E-5 torx socket to remove them.

Eric

[Maine Sail]

Ditto what Eric said. Best to have an experienced alt shop do this job if you are not a good solderer. Most good shops won't charge to much for this...

[TQA]

As you can see from the pic it looks like the positive side is a nut job but the diode body fits into the heatsink somehow possibly a press fit.

Well you could see if sailnet would let me upload the pic GRRRR

[fairbank56]

Sounds to me like you are mistaking the main positive output stud as being a diode? It is screwed into the positive heatsink plate but it is just a stud, not a diode. Remove the black plastic cover from the back of the alternator (first remove the D+ terminal hardware) and you will see the 6 diodes. 3 are pressed into the positive heatsink plate and 3 are pressed into the negative plate. The other end of the diodes are tack welded to the connector plate terminals. You cannot replace individual diodes. You must replace the whole assembly. How have you determined that you have a diode problem?

Eric