squeal from alternator

The belt is slipping

You really shouldn't be switching off the batteries when the engine/alternator is running. Chances are very likely that the belt is glazed and needs to be replaced. It is probably slipping under the load that the alternator puts on it when it tries to charge the batteries.

max10 said:

With the yanmar gm30 running and the batteries switched off it runs smooth and quiet. With the batteries switched on the alternator squeals .

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The quickest way I know to burn out the diodes!

Tighten the belt.

Never Ever

Never turn the battery switch off with the engine running. And I have to ask why would you ever do this, or want to. This is more than a little detrimental to the alternator, and I would be surprised if you have not blown some diodes already. The squealing is probably a slipping belt, because it is either loose or glazed.

my yanmar dealer said when that happens the batteries are down tooo far and the alternator has to work too hard to get them back up......ask yer yannie dealer--see what he says

Reminds of the time a bank teller told me, "I'm sorry sir you can not make a deposit to that account because it's overdrawn".:laugher :laugher :laugher :laugher

zeehag said:

my yanmar dealer said when that happens the batteries are down tooo far and the alternator has to work too hard to get them back up......ask yer yannie dealer--see what he says

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Yes, never disconnect the batteries or have them off when the engine is running. It will damage diodes while the alternator voltage surges.

timebandit said:

Reminds of the time a bank teller told me, "I'm sorry sir you can not make a deposit to that account because it's overdrawn".:laugher :laugher :laugher :laugher

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yes. i thought so as well--lol----he doesnt realize i am not as dumb as he looks lol.....

Alternator belt life

Rule of thumb for a V belt drive for an alternator is about 100amps per belt, assuming the belt is in good shape and the pulleys are in alignment. As with most marine systems, keep an extra belt on board when the existing one is on the way out. Black powder around the engine, squealing sounds are clues that the belt is slipping and needs tightening or when the belt is too narrow, replacement.
A 65 Ford mustang that I drove had a worn alternator mount where the pulleys were not in alignment, it would squeal occasionally and was terrible on belts.