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Topic: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!! (Read 1212 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #20 –
We are fortunate to have a rebuild shop near us that has been in business over 55 years with the same owners who do the work hands on themselves..Smith Generator in Hope Arkansas.. They do all the alt.. starters and batteries for my diesel trucks and personal vehicles as well.. I never feel confident when I get caught having to buy a rebuild from any parts store.. I always feel confident when I purchase from Smith Generator small family owned and operated shop..Experience has led to those feelings.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #21 –
For the benefit of others who will probably read this, be aware that on the older coaches some of the chargers are 40 amps, which isn't enough to fully handle the 12 volt DC power demands, especially with the lights, wipers, and defroster on. If the charger can't supply enough 12 volt DC power the batteries will discharge as you drive, even with the generator running. You can stop at a rest area and shut the engine down to let the generator charge the batteries up so you can drive further. You're not immobilized, you just have to be aware that your charger can only supply 40 amps and your batteries need to be charged before they get down too low. Watch your voltmeter as you drive... A 1989 coach probably has a 75 amp charger, which should be enough for most driving conditions.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #22 –
An AC Delco alternator is so easy to rebuild that I'd buy new parts along with the crummy factory rebuilt alternator and rebuild it myself with new parts before installing the alternator... or just run it until it dies and then rebuild it on the side of the road.

Are you sure your 1989 coach has a Leece Neville and not the really awful Powerline alternator? If you've got a Powerline alternator toss it in the trash and start over with an AC Delco.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #23 –
In my first post I gave the information as specified on the tag on the alternator housing. It is a Leece-Neville, model A0012600JB, 14 Volt, 105 Amp alternator.
I have changed all our clearance lights to LEDs, some of the interior lights to LEDs, and both televisions sets are LEDs also. When driving we do not use the radio or the AC so almost no power draw. I do turn on the monitor occasionally to check batteries and fluid levels.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #24 –
I doubt that Leece Neville was the original alternator. I suspect a 1989 coach came with a Powerline alternator and someone replaced it with the Leece Neville later. That's what happened with my 1991 coach. Either way be thankful you don't have the Powerline.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #25 –
Oh, Oh, Scott. Now I will have to go thru all the records the previous owners left behind!! Will let you know if I find anything tomorrow as there is no power in the coach right now and it is dark outside.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #26 –
It doesn't matter, as long as you're sure you don't have the Powerline alternator, in which case you should throw it away and start over. It sounds like a previous owner already did this.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #27 –
Nowhere does it say anything other than Leece-neville, a Prestolite division, so it probably was original or changed. I did find a supplier on the internet--(OBB Alternators & starters) where my alternator is listed and was used by many different vehicles, including Ford, Dodge trucks & others back around 1989 also. their price was around $157, no charge for shipping or core. Not bad, but I am still waiting for answer from Michelle or Gary re condition & amperage output. (rather deal with Foreforum people first!)

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #28 –
Nitehawk, Not sure what question you asked.
The alternator that Michelle has was built by a small shop in AR when we were stranded over a holiday weekend. It is a delco 160 AMP and all parts were new and/or tested when he built it.  In the meantime we went on to CO on this Alternator and then new one from MOT caught up with us.
I would have no qualms using it today.
Gary B

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #29 –
I don't think I'd buy another Leece Neville alternator, but if you can find an honest alternator shop that will repair or rebuild yours for less than the cost of a new AC Delco alternator that would probably be the way to go. If you can't find an honest alternator shop you should sell your Leece Neville as a rebuildable core on eBay and replace it with an AC Delco. Be aware that you'll probably have to use the pulley from your Leece Neville on the new AC Delco, which will probably require a press to install. If you call Leece Neville they'll probably tell you your alternator needs the rectifier replaced and they'll probably mail you the correct parts. It's an easy repair if you can get the pulley off and back on again. You'll probably need a press though. It's possible you could remove the pulley with a three legged gear puller and then tap it back on with a hammer using a large socket over the end of the pulley... or just find someone with a press.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #30 –
Just got off the phone with FOT parts/Mike G. He said to stay with the L-N so looks like I am going down to my neighborhood alternator rebuild shop this afternoon.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #31 –
I just paid for my alternator ignorance!!! This dumbass didn't know that slowly declining voltage output can be--and usually is--caused by corroded posts and wire ends on the terminals.
The regulator was acting up so it was replaced. Everything else--armature, bearings, diodes--checked out OK.

Total cleanup, testing, regulator came to under $150 with tax. I figure half of that is what I ended up paying for my ignorance.

While reinstalling the alternator AND new belts, I noticed the engine side of the rear radiator is pretty clogged up so am trying to unclog it. Any suggestions, not including pressure washer. That I do know better than to use!!

I did build the platform as Pierce suggested. Sure made it easier to get into the engine compartment. I did find a somewhat shredded Gates 25-9660 alternator belt hiding in the fan shroud, but no power steering pump on the engine. What goes??

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #32 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
, but no power steering pump on the engine. What goes??
Power steering pump is a direct mount into the rear gear train inside the engine - so no belt.  It's located on the transmission end of engine on the passenger side below the floor level.  This is one of the great things about a Detroit - fewer belts.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #33 –
Thanks John. Even on a DD 8.2 turbo-charged V8?? Totally different engine than yours.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #34 –
Some hydraulic pumps driven off the back of the engine-driven air compressor.

Others from the PTO on the Allison transmission.

So there are several alternatives to belt drive.

Just follow the large hose from hydraulic reservoir and you will find it.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #35 –
I got an engine-driven air compressor?? A PTO on my four speed Allison?? Must be something I haven't located yet! Guess I will have to crawl around under the coach after I am done degreasing the rear radiator. Hope I didn't waste money buying that Sears air compressor!!