Universal diesel engine problem

[bcolton]

Good Afternoon - I own a 1986 Bristol 35.5, with a Universal 3cyl, 24HP diesel with 3,500 hours on it. I bought the boat used six years ago, and although the engine starts easily, even in winter, I have never been able to go above 2100 RPM (max RPM according to the manual is 2800 RPM), even with the throttle totally opened up. I have checked the throttle linkage, and the speed control lever and they are both OK, so the problem is elsewhere. I might add that the top speed I get is 2100 RPM, for both under power, or in neutral at the slip.

I also have a second problem that is unrelated to the above. I purchased new gel batteries last summer, that I left on board this past winter. The batteries were both at 13.0 V in late February. A month ago I turned the battery charger on just to make sure the batteries were topped up. The charger registered 5 amps for a week, and I then inadvertantly discovered that the alternator was hot to the touch. I immediately disconnected the batteries from the system, and within a few minutes, the alternator was noticeably cooler. The batteries registered 12.3 V, which, for gel batteries means they are between 0-25% charged (ie, severely discharged). My question: what might be going on here, and what can I do to rectify the problem?

Any help or ideas on either problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.