![]() |
Generator Squeal and Voltage Fluctuations - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Generator Squeal and Voltage Fluctuations (/showthread.php?tid=1893) |
Generator Squeal and Voltage Fluctuations - Kevin McKeown - 01-22-2006 12:26 Greetings to all, Driving home from a trip last week in the BB, I kept noticing that my voltage gauge would fluctuate up and down, from as low as 11.3V (I have a digital voltmeter) and up to 13.6 or so. This cycle would take perhaps 30 minutes or so, and continued for the 3 hr trip. Is this normal? If not, any ideas for a fix? I also noticed a high pitched squealing noise (kind of scratchy sounding, and not too loud) coming from the 8V92's generator when the motor is running. Time for a new generator? Is this related maybe to the voltage fluctuation? The generator now is a 120w unit..if I replace it, should I go with a like unit, or a higher capacity generator? Is it better to have this one rebuilt, or exchange it for another? Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.. Kevin McKeown Yorba Linda, CA 1986 38' PT 8V92 Generator Squeal and Voltage Fluctuations - Scott Peatross - 01-22-2006 14:42 Well Kevin, if that squeal doesn't sound like a slipping fan belt, and it is a grinding whirr, the bearings are gone on the alternator and it's time to pull it now, not later. Remove the belt and spin the alternator by hand, if it's not smooth and quiet, it's rebuild time. The fluctuating voltage may be an unrelated alternator issue, like a bad internal regulator, so you may fix 'em both with a new alternator. You should never see voltage as low as 11.3 with the engine running, that's the voltage of a dead battery. If you have an externally regulated alternator, the new alternator may not fix the fluctuating voltage, if it's a bad regulator. Can't rule out a flaky voltmeter circuit, either. Seems like the alternators in 'birds don't last 100k miles, they work pretty hard. I think the '86 had a Motorola alternator, no longer available. But being heavy truck stuff, replacements are available, Leece Nelville makes a good unit that is readily available. Scott Peatross '87 PT40 Kevin McKeown Greetings to all, Driving home from a trip last week in the BB, I kept noticing that my voltage gauge would fluctuate up and down, from as low as 11.3V (I have a digital voltmeter) and up to 13.6 or so. This cycle would take perhaps 30 minutes or so, and continued for the 3 hr trip. Is this normal? If not, any ideas for a fix? I also noticed a high pitched squealing noise (kind of scratchy sounding, and not too loud) coming from the 8V92's generator when the motor is running. Time for a new generator? Is this related maybe to the voltage fluctuation? The generator now is a 120w unit..if I replace it, should I go with a like unit, or a higher capacity generator? Is it better to have this one rebuilt, or exchange it for another? Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.. Kevin McKeown Yorba Linda, CA 1986 38' PT 8V92 SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive maintenance Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles Automotive radiators --------------------------------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. --------------------------------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |