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Topic: Cat 3208 alternator part#? (Read 914 times) previous topic - next topic

Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Did the search , notta. 
 Cruising up into Canada, rock steady 2200 RPM and the volt meter drops to 12.0 from a steady. 13.6.
 Started the genset and combined the batteries.  I will need one when I get home .  Anyone converted to Delco?
  I "currently" have the OE Leece Neville.  Thanks as always.MM

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #1 –
I have had great service from Hutchersons in Tampa They are on 50th street about a half mile south of hwy 60. It may just need brushes. I would check the brushes, maybe one of them is sticking.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #2 –
Thanks.  I am in NY and Canada for another month but fly back to Tampa next week.
 Maybe I should bring it with after i run the wires back.

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #3 –
It is pretty easy to check the brushes, just take off the voltage regulator and the brushes are right there. check if one of them may be stuck and not making contact with the slip rings. Make sure no power to the alternator when reinstalling the brushes and regulator. There is a small hole in the rear of the alternator that you can use a paper clip or small drill bit to hold down the springs for the brushes and then when the regulator is placed back before tightening the screw pull out the bit or clip.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #4 –
Sticking brush if that's what it is might just benefit from a percussion adjustment.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #5 –
It is better to remove and clean, but your suggestion might work.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #6 –
Red you posted your great reply, while I was posting my last ditch reply.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #7 –
Learned the hard way,had our LN rebuilt by a good shop,lasted 20k miles,got the 28si delco for less then the rebuild cost,much
steady voltage at idle,13.7.If the one part they don't replace fails your screwed.We limped home from washington state last year with no alternator.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #8 –
Lewco in Costa Mesa, ca rebuilt our LN.  bearings and one diode after 120k miles.  Dan remarked at the large heat sinks.

$300 range.  Good for another 120k Miles. 

Adjustable voltage and the amps needed for 1/5th C charge rate of 675 amp hours of house batteries was the original idea

My Cummins shop foreman mentioned a 14.15 volt larger Delco alternator with a sense wire. 

The oem system we still have has worked well for a long time. 

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #10 –
If you go that route just make sure you get an actual Delco brand one,that one sound like it's not a Delco brand.The Delcos are a little more money.Will look up where I got mine,also got a new pulley.Part number for the 8.3 Cummins is 8600308.This is the
160 amp model,they have ones with more amps but my LN was 130 so the 160 works for me.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #11 –
I bought a genuine Delco-Remy 8600308 in the factory box on eBay last year for $209.51, free shipping.  I don't see another one right now.  I would have just had the existing alternator locally repaired but the PO had replaced it with the wrong one.  I understand the old soundproofing decomposing and getting into the alternator is one of the causes of failure so replacing the sounding proofing is on my short list.
Mike & Lilli
1991 GV U280 36' SBI, 3208 Cat, Build #3825
4320 Watts Solar
Kansas City, MO

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: rvtinker –
I bought a genuine Delco-Remy 8600308 in the factory box on eBay last year for $209.51, free shipping.  I don't see another one right now.  I would have just had the existing alternator locally repaired but the PO had replaced it with the wrong one.  I understand the old soundproofing decomposing and getting into the alternator is one of the causes of failure so replacing the sounding proofing is on my short list.
DELCO REMY 8600308 - New Alternator 28SI 12V 160A | eBay

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #13 –
I replaced my LN with a Delco Remy 40si 240 amp brushless alternator.  I have about 1500 amp hrs of batteries so a bigger alternator was indicated. Shop around for price.  I found a new one in original packaging on eBay for about 1/3 off normal pricing. The LN still checks out if someone wants one.

Delco 40si 240 Amp Alternator, Sterling ProSplitR Installation

One of the pictures has a misleading label and the post is no longer editable.  The Delco 40si needs a + wire to the isolator, a ground wire and a sense wire.  The old excite wire is not needed for the alternator but it was repurposed to provide an ignition powered signal to the smart Sterling zero voltage drop isolator.  Other Delco's may be wired differently.  Be sure to follow the details.

This was a not too hard project that had a big payoff.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #15 –
Foretravel has always equipped their  coaches to have 1/5th C charging systems from both the inverter and alternator. 

The 96 270 poster has 2 8g8d's and a 130 amp alternator, not 160  and a 2000 watt 100 amp Charger while the 97 320 has three 8g8d's and a 160 amp alternator and a 130 amp charger to match.

New ih45's have 6 house batteries and 320 amp alternator and 250 amps of chargers to match
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #16 –
The Delco 8600308 is a 160 amp alternator,that's what I have,I had a LN 130 amp.That's the same thing I said in the above post.
The 28si comes in 160,180 and 200 amps,if you want 130 then get your LN rebuilt but remember it's only as good as the weakest
part.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #17 –
My Ln went 2800 hours.  And needed the bearings and one out of six diodes.  Do the Delco's  have an adjustable voltage regulator on them?  I,am sure they are a quality unit but the corect sizing is necesssry.  As is the ability to turn down the voltage. 

Retaining the 1/5 C charging rate as specified by the battery makers is necessary for the longest, ,best retained capacity, battery life.

 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #18 –
Mike,

Assumed you have done the troubleshooting to rule out the battery isolator and wiring.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #19 –
Just fixed it.  Ran the wires and the short wire to the fuel run solenoid was comprised.  Bumpy road .old wire.
 Thanks for the tips.
 This alt has a rebuild tag on it. 
  I will probably look at the Delco strickly for a service standpoint .  I like being  1 day from parts. 

Re: Cat 3208 alternator part#?

Reply #20 –
Mine charges at the same 13.7/13.8 that the LN did only it does this at idle when the LN did not,as far as I know you cannot adjust
voltage,did not research.Like I said,if you want the 130 amps then get the LN rebuilt,mine lasted into the 4000 plus hours,and on
the Alaska trip it quit,maybe it was the dust,not sure,but I was not going to get it rebuilt again,and yes it was a good shop that
rebuilt it that I have used for 30 years for oilfield electrics.
My 2 cents on the dust from the old insulation,if the dust from the crumbling insulation does get into bearings and the like then
take all the old stuff off and DO NOT cover the old stuff with the new,it will still crumble and end up in the bearings,and it looks
alot flatter and neater without the old crap bulging thru.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.