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

Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

I removed the alternator seeing as how it is only putting out 10.3 volts. It has been steadily dropping over the last year so it must be time.
It is a Leece-Neville, Date code: 8835K, volts: 14, Amps: 105, Service parts type: 2600JB, Complete unit model #: A0012600JB      14Volt  three step  7900

Am I better off just getting it rebuilt? Or upgrade to what?? What would fit? Any other modifications I would have to make? Best place to get one?

Please help.. Thanks, Nitehawk

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #1 –
Norm,

FYI I don't know if it would work in your coach, but we have the Delco externally-excited alternator we bought from Gary Bouland last fall.  Unfortunately we ran into a situation where we had to replace ours while away from home so we haven't used it (and shouldn't since we now have a new L-N one in the coach)

$125 includes ground shipping.  It's what we paid Gary.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #2 –
See Michelle, I am kind of a dummy when it comes to electricity. I can't see it, taste it, smell it, and don't like to touch it when it is in a biting mood. So, if it gets excited or needs to get excited to work I wouldn't know how to set it off or up!!

Your offer is greatly appreciated and I will probably take you up on it if someone can walk this idiot thru what will work or what I will have to do to make it work.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #3 –
Norm,

I'm even less adept when it comes to something like an alternator (I just do recall many forum discussions where some/many/all? of our Foretravels use one termed "externally excited", which I recall reading is not what most truck places are familiar with), so if someone does say it will work with your coach and can help you through the process, it's got your name on it until you say "never mind" (at which point it's back for sale if someone else can use it).

Michelle

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #4 –
Super Michelle, but would it fit? Our engine is the old Detroit Diesel 8.2 Turbo V8.

Is the model of your alternator same as ours?

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #5 –
Check on ebay for a L-N alternator. You can also upgrade to a 160 amp model. Some listed are OEM while others are clones. Think yours takes a J-180 mount and is externally excited. I did see several listed for the 8.2 engine. leece neville alternator in Car & Truck Parts | eBay Most all the these alternators are in the $125-$200 range.

Alternator basics at: http://www.chargerr.com/Alternators/ALT.HTM

Pierce

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #6 –
If you have an isolator it must be modified for duvac system. Dual voltage control. It could be trio diode exited or ignition. Depends on how many connections you took off the back. Not a simple swap out for Foretravel......as usual.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #7 –
Nitehawk, If yours is a J frame and externally excited then Michelle is right that it will work on yours.
IMPORTANT, make sure you disconnect the batteries before installing and that you wire it up correctly.  With Diodes you don't get a second chance.
Gary B

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #8 –
Your alternator is still working if it's producing any voltage at all, so I'd rebuild it if possible. What has probably happened is some of the diodes in the rectifier have popped. There are at least 6 diodes, two for each leg of three phase AC power, or multiples of 6 diodes. The rectifier converts three phase AC power to DC power. If some of the diodes fail you'll see a lower DC voltage. Because you still have some voltage you know your brushes, rotor, stator, and to some extent your voltage regulator are still working. If you can find an honest alternator shop (good luck) your alternator is easily rebuildable. You could replace the diode trio yourself, at least on an AC Delco alternator you could. I only messed with my Leece Neville alternator one time and I can't remember where the diodes are located. If you can't find an honest alternator shop you should go to O'Reilly Auto Parts and get an AC Delco alternator. It's a better alternator and it's cheaper than rebuilding the Leece Neville unless it's an easy rebuild by an honest shop. Call Foretravel and ask them for the exact model AC Delco alternator they recommend for your coach.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #9 –
I'm gonna say no, you probably can't change the rectifier yourself on your Leece Neville alternator. I wasn't able to get the pulley off and back on mine without a press, which of course I don't carry around with me. I don't think you can get the end housing off the alternator without removing the pulley. It's on page two of this instruction manual... (please see attachment)... You probably need to replace the positive and negative rectifier assemblies to repair your alternator. The parts aren't expensive and they're easily available by mail order from Leece Neville. Their phone number is below. Get your model and serial number and call them... If you don't have a Leece Neville alternator on your coach you've probably got the Powerline alternator which is even worse, just saying.

Leece Neville: (866) 288-9853

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #10 –
DUH-H-H-H-H!! I seem to remember about a year ago a certain dumba-- forgot which battery cables went to which post and had a heck of a spark. (no names please). Kind of wonder if that was when the diodes went south. Sure are temperamental little things, aren't they!!

Good time now to put the new alternator belts in as long as I am doing everything else and have my custom-built, homemade platform over the engine and under the bed.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #11 –
I don't know if it's even possible to pop the diodes in the alternator unless the ignition key is turned on, which I doubt it was when you made the spark at the battery terminal. The alternator is supposed to be externally excited so it wouldn't even have an exciter field with the key off, plus the rotor wouldn't be turning unless the engine was running... so I kinda doubt you popped the diodes by connecting the battery terminal backwards... not that it matters how it happened but maybe it'll make you feel less guilty or something? ;)

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #12 –
I do think you could have damaged your computer(s) if your engine and / or transmission had computers, which I don't know if your coach does. It probably doesn't because I don't think the Caterpillar powered coaches in those same years had computers on the engine or the transmission.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #13 –
Our personal experience over the years is to find a small, usually one-owner, who has a messy shop that only rebuilds alternators & starters. They can replace everything or just what it takes to get it working, usually at a reasonable price. But price is not the objective. The main reason to use these shops for us is that we don't have to worry about compatibly, fit or wiring, as we are re-installing our original alternator, only now it works. We have had very good results with rebuilding.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #14 –
That last post by Barry and Cindy couldn't be more spot on in my opinion.. Ive been messing with trucks for 35 years and have had the best luck with just the type of shop they describe right down to the mess. The guys that inhabit such a shop can rebuild an old alternator with there eyes closed. They've done a million just like yours. Except yours is just that, yours.. It will bolt right back on, no worries.....

Good Luck..

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #15 –
Hey, Norm,

I did the easy expensive fix for our alternator. Went to FOT. They installed a suitable replacement in about 45 minutes. Price for parts and labor was about $750. Probably way too expensive, but it works and is a direct replacement for the original that lasted about 15 years.

You're not likely to save money buying the proper replacement from FOT, but it will probably work properly. You should be able to install it yourself with your special tools.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #16 –
The problem is finding an honest alternator shop, which was possible a few years ago, but very difficult today in my recent experience. I visited at least three alternator shops like the ones described above. One of them I know for a fact was honest as recently as ten years ago. The first words out of their mouth as I walk in the door and they haven't even seen my alternator yet is that I need an expensive new alternator... right, then how come the manufacturer of my alternator just told me how to fix it over the phone and said they'll mail me the correct parts to repair it myself? ...oh, well since you put it that way, we can rebuild your alternator if you leave it here two weeks ...right, then how come the manufacturer can ship me the parts the next day and I can be out of here tomorrow if I fix it myself? ...oh, well since you put it that way, maybe we can squeeze you in today ...I was holding the alternator in my hand at the time and it took about 5 minutes work and less than $50 of parts but the bill came to well over $200 ...I could have bought a new AC Delco alternator that wasn't externally excited at O'Reilly Auto Parts and removed my isolator and it would have cost me less.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #17 –
Well, so far the saga goes like this: price from Napa= $184.12 + $60 core charge + $22 shipping from Florida or Missouri. Can be here in one day. Same everything as our old alternator.

Next is to call Mike Grimes at FOT parts. Get price and AC Delco replacement info. Then call O'reilly's for price. After that, take alternator down to rebuild shop about three miles away. Shop is used by Kings Kampers (where we bought our GV). Old place, not super modern, kinda messy in the shop, relative of a friend.
After I do all that we will most likely, probably, buy the one from Michelle!!

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #18 –
A couple of more reasons to find the small rebuilding shop:

If you need to drive without a working alternator, you could do what many have done, turn on generator & boost switch and let your battery charger keep the start batteries charged (instead of the alternator keeping them charged).

We have driven for over a week this way, and recently a Foretravel'er drove from Arizona to Montana with generator & boost.

Buying a commercial rebuilt alternator, usually ends up with giving back the original not working alternator for a core.
Many commercial rebuilders just replace the minimum parts to get a working alternator, so the next thing to fail may happen after installation. And if the auto store alternator is not the same brand and model, you can end up with and alternator not worth rebuilding in the future.

There are not many of the good old time shops around. Ask at truck repair shops and call ahead to your next stop, if needed. Many of these shops have old timers doing the work or have a long time employee taking over. We have had great success over the years, with the most recent last year. If you find a shop like Scott found, just know it is not one you care to use and move on.

New is better if you can find the right alternator, commercial rebuilt may not be better.

Re: Our 1989 Alternator seems to have died!!

Reply #19 –
Unless factory new (not rebuilt/remanufactured), the small repair shop down the road will give you a much better chance of of receiving a long life alternator than NAPA or any other like business. Barry has it right!

Pierce