Ser # below
Had the motor idling on the hose. Peeing great. I get System Fault, Low Voltage. Shut it off, didn't look at the voltage on the merc gauge but I have a digital meter that has always read the same. It was saying 12.6 volts. The motor has always read over 13v. Turned off the battery switch. Could get a slight whiff electrical burning every-so-often. Checked every wire in the boat. All were cool, no smell. Pulled the motor cover and starter & solenoid were kind of hot. Bendix wasn't engaged and no signs on the flywheel or bendix teeth that they were grinding. Went over to the alternator side and it was super hot & smelly. No alternator wires or connectors had any signs of excessive heat. Did a search and found others had experienced the same thing from the time period this motor came out. The motor itself is new-(replaced by Merc a couple of years ago. However, I'm sure they just reattached my 2016 components to the new engine.
Question: Are these alternators internally regulated? Can I get by with a new alternator or is there a separate regulator I would need to get? I'll bite the bullet and stick with the OEM Merc parts.