Alternator Replacement

[ronmarabito2002]

Not sure why you are pulling 100 amps, unless your batteries are
really low. After driving it a bit, it should go down to maybe 10 to
15 amps max. What kind of batteries do you have and how many for the
house and starting? If GEL cells, they should be at least 14.1 volts
during absorption and then drop to 13.5 volts for float voltage. The
"Ample Power Regulator" folks recommend 14.4 volts for absorption and
have not found this to cause gassing.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> My alternator replacement job is done, I'm happy to say.
>
> For memory refreshment, I had Alternator 1 with zero output, and
Alternator 2 with max 50-amps and unable to maintain voltage with
headlights on.
>
> Replacing the top-front one (under the bed) was easy. That one was a
130-amp Prestolite. After replacement, and with the power cables
removed from the back one, the engine was started and showed 100 amps
on Alternator 1 at idle, zero on Alternator 2. Voltage was above 13.5
and amps dropped quickly as the start drop was replaced, even with the
headlights on.
>
> Replacing the back alternator was not easy at all. It sits under the
A/C pump, so I tried to drop it out the bottom, but there just wasn't
room to make it. The way the A/C pump is bracketed it was a B***h to
remove, and similar to replace, but I eventually got it done. The
removed alternator has no apparent markings anywhere, so I don't know
what it was or its rating.
>
> Running with the two new Leece-Neville 160-amp alternators the
output after startup is still 100 amps, shared equally between the
two. I guess that makes sense, but I had thought it would be higher. I
wish I had a way to draw down the batteries and still have enough to
start the engine, so I could see if it would show a higher charge rate.
>
> Overall it was an interesting learning experience. I also replaced
the belts on Alternator 1, which showed some wear, but the others -
alternator 2 and the A/C pump - looked like new so I left them.
>
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> Eureka, CA
>