Upgrade from water cooled rectifier-regulator Merc 200

[bm1961]

My 200 Merc has the old water cooled rectifier-regulator, as pictured in the link below
https://cdn.boats.net/MTA/po/1/MTMzMjQ5MQ-16cc3d7b.jpg

I had one go bad a while back (verified tested bad), and had a 2nd used one, which i installed, and tested good.
I think this one has gone bad now, and want to know what upgraded units are available.

I see these ones are listed, but want to know which one is the best and if there are any other options.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RA4AA...HT/s-l1600.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3LoAA...2I/s-l1600.jpg

Is there any way to check and see if I have a 40 amp or 16 amp charging system?

Also, I have a 2 amp battery maintenance charger on my boat battery, would this damage the voltage rectifier-regulator in any way?

Thanks

[idvette]

If it's a water cooled 2.4, chances are it's the 40 amp, especially if EFI. I upgraded to the CDI dual setup about 7 or 8 years ago and have had no issues.

[idvette]

Just an install note, I originally left the water cooled reg installed to seal the hole, then mounted the CDI regs to the coil mount bracket. Last year I changed my drop on cowl to a Bridgeport cowl and it wouldn't fit. I made up an aluminum plate to block the hole and mounted the coils and regulators closer to the block.

[rgsauger]

Do you have a red flywheel? If so, 40 amps.

The Cdi unit will work. So will one of the $30 ones from ebay. Combo rectifier and voltage reg. The dual one is for a stator with 4 yellows; you have two.

I've been running the eBay one for three years now after my water cooled took a chit and caught on literal fire.

[bm1961]

Thanks for all the info, I have the stator with 2 yellow wires and the red flywheel.
I was looking at purchasing these regulators from amazon but need some clarification as to how they should be wired up. I have been reading the other thread posted about this subject as well. Any opinions on using these regualtors-rectifiers and how they should be wired up?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JJX9DS1...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[mrichartz]

Do you have a red flywheel? If so, 40 amps.

The Cdi unit will work. So will one of the $30 ones from ebay. Combo rectifier and voltage reg. The dual one is for a stator with 4 yellows; you have two.

I've been running the eBay one for three years now after my water cooled took a chit and caught on literal fire.

I know this is 40 amp Merc install .. but do you have links to the $30 ones..just curious
I've fixed mine but always curious

Yea I had one catch fire many years ago not sure if coincidence but we were running along and someone decided to see if they could hear the stereo over the motors then motor felt strange turn around smoke pouring out luckily just stopped turned battery switch of pulled cover and hit it with extinguisher didn't get a chance to really get started so mostly burnt rectifier and some wires..
After that I did drill and tap extra bleeds up top ..its evinrude an they will get air trapped

[Dave Strong]

The water cooled reg stator is different than the new style dual reg stator, was a conversion kit that came with all parts needed.

Dave

[idvette]

The water cooled reg stator is different than the new style dual reg stator, was a conversion kit that came with all parts needed.

Dave

Good info Dave, I forgot to mention that in my earlier post

[CVX20SPRINT]

I know this is 40 amp Merc install .. but do you have links to the $30 ones..just curious
I've fixed mine but always curious

Yea I had one catch fire many years ago not sure if coincidence but we were running along and someone decided to see if they could hear the stereo over the motors then motor felt strange turn around smoke pouring out luckily just stopped turned battery switch of pulled cover and hit it with extinguisher didn't get a chance to really get started so mostly burnt rectifier and some wires..
After that I did drill and tap extra bleeds up top ..its evinrude an they will get air trapped

I'm running a 200 XP that the reg/rec was toast on when I got it.I replaced with a non OEM one and It's toast again I think.It started acting up last trip of the year and I finally figured out that my key switch was a problem.Never heard anything good about the watercooled reg's and was thinking about trying to do a air cooled conversion but wasn't sure if it would get enough air under the hood. Would bleeds help my 200?

[mrichartz]

Those were one of the motors I did it too..
If you think is was because of an air lock yes..
Doesn't hurt anyway.
On those it was just top of cylinder banks in each side
1/8 npt barbed 90° fitting and run the hoses ..
Pic I have is of newer 97 blocks same with also modding the blowoff with plate and fitting because it's right there.
Was doing some other stuff plates just sitting there but you get the idea..it's the fitting to the left

dea

[rgsauger]

So it's funny. I bought two of them and wired them in parallel thinking they would split the load. and maybe they did. Volts were 14.5 on my lowrance. Then I got a slow drain on my battery and figured out that one of the regs was bad. Disconnected it and ran on the second one - perfect volts. no probs for about 2 or 3 years now.

Which leads me to think that unless you're turning 9K, that one reg is enough. At least it has been on mine. I mounted mine in the air on a quick bracket. Nothing to write home about. Works. I'll snap a pic.

[CVX20SPRINT]

Those were one of the motors I did it too..
If you think is was because of an air lock yes..
Doesn't hurt anyway.
On those it was just top of cylinder banks in each side
1/8 npt barbed 90° fitting and run the hoses ..
Pic I have is of newer 97 blocks same with also modding the blowoff with plate and fitting because it's right there.
Was doing some other stuff plates just sitting there but you get the idea..it's the fitting to the left

dea

Thanks
I'm pretty sure the one on there now failed because of the ign switch.Not sure on the first but I've never heard anything good about water cooled ones. The fact that they didn't use them long pretty much verifies it's a bad idea.