Alternator Door?

ken003 · December 16, 2005, 07:39:31 PM

In the "towel bar in head" thread, Ron Hill mentions an alternator door. I have a 2005 MK II and would like to know what this door is? I plan on installing a starting battery and see no easy way to get at the wiring on the starter. I was wondering if installing an access door from the head to engine compartment was feasible? Did previous boats have this door?

Thanks,
Ken

Jack Hutteball · December 16, 2005, 08:39:14 PM

My Mkll does not have this door either. I only have a tall narrow one under the sink that is too narrow to really work through and does not get into the engine compartment. I have yet to add a starting battery or make any of the other electrical changes suggested by the board except change out the charger as suggested to save my batterys.
Jack

Footloose · December 17, 2005, 04:53:02 AM

Jack and Ken,

My 1988 Mk1 has a door that gives access to the back of the alternator and the front of the starter. I am guessing that it is about 6x6 inches. It is a good place to get bloody knuckles, but I suppose that without it you would have to pull the alternator to get at the starter. There shouldn't be many times when you need access but it is nice to have when you need it.

Someone with a Mkll that has done this could give you some additional thoughts.

Dave

Susan Ray · December 17, 2005, 09:49:42 AM

My '87 has a door that is standard 12"x12"and gives direct access to alternator. You should be able to order one, cut 9x9 hole and install.

Ron Hill · December 17, 2005, 10:46:09 AM

Ken : Oops! Forgot that the MkII doesn't have an alternator door. You can install one as mentioned, but probably not as large as 12"x12".
Guess the door went to the same way that the forward side head hand hold went!!

Susan Ray · December 19, 2005, 10:44:56 PM

Did they change the configuration of the head on the '88? Isn't the basic liner the same as the '87? Why would there be less room on the wall between the head door and bulkhead to cockpit? (Measures 15.6" from entry door to below sink door) Is there a line drawing showing different measurements? Is the '87 called an MKI? Which is called the MK II? When researching for purchase didn't notice much difference in configuration until the transom was opened. Where is this info on this site?
Thanks,Susan

Footloose · December 20, 2005, 05:37:25 AM

Susan

Sorry for any confusion that I may have caused with my post above. My 88 door probally is the 12x12 mentioned in the other posts. It is very cold in Vermont right now and going to the boat isn't much fun. 6x6 is too small to get my hand and a wrench through.

Dave

Ron Hill · December 20, 2005, 05:44:45 PM

Susan : Don't apologize because you alternator door is a 12"x12" size. The MkII just has a smaller head area (they did change the mold!!)
Another anomaly is that the early MK1s don't have a door on the starboard side of the engine compartment or an overhead in the head (there are articles on how to cut them in, in the Mainsheet tech notes!!).