Leece Neville Alternator went---again

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Leece Neville Alternator went---again

July 14, 2020, 06:31:34 pm

Our 160 amp Leece Neville (about 7 years old) just quit. Shows 12.5 V on the dash gauge and the cruise control quit working when the supplied voltage gets down low.
How do I know? The same thing happened years ago on the way home from Texas.
So, any suggestions as to alternative brands, etc?

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #1 – July 14, 2020, 06:37:08 pm

Alternators are rebuildable and usually you can save some money. Brushes then control usually is what fails. Belt isn't slipping if it's belt drive?
Scott

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #2 – July 14, 2020, 06:38:04 pm

alternator

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #3 – July 14, 2020, 06:50:50 pm

When I did a recent search, Delco also makes one but the Leece-Neville is rated high? I found them for under $300 on the LN brand

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #4 – July 14, 2020, 06:52:51 pm

No offense, but 7 years with a lot of use may be normal these days. I'm not sure anything is built as well as it used to be

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #5 – July 14, 2020, 06:59:14 pm

If you don't mind spending the bucks for a genuine Delco, it's a definite step up. Lots of knock offs that say Delco, probably the only way to get a real one is buying from a legit store. That said, I modified a ebay LN to duvac, and had to rebuild it down the road. Simple and cheap to do, still solid after seven years now.

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #6 – July 14, 2020, 07:19:59 pm

I've never had any trouble with LN alternators. Over tightened belts ruin bearings on a lot of alternators. A loose connection on the back can cause the area to overheat. Quite a few alternator rebuild shops use as few new parts as they can get away with. That's why so many rebuilt alternators don't last.

With a multimeter aka VOM, you can troubleshoot it yourself. Prestolite - Leece Neville

Pierce

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #7 – July 14, 2020, 07:28:08 pm

It could be the brushes might be sticking

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #8 – July 14, 2020, 10:10:56 pm

The LN have an adjustable voltage regulator. STD settings are too high for long drives in warm weather.,

My oem LN lasted almost 20 years.

My replacement runs too high for summer use. Overcharges the batteries.

Rebuild the oem and turn it to the 13.6 at the batteries that Foretravel set it at.

There was a reason. Unless you have exotic batteries

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #9 – July 14, 2020, 10:20:55 pm

Took ours to a electric shop and in a day, got it back and it looked brand new. New bearings, regulator, brushes and for under $80. There is nothing wrong with the LN. Great back then, great now!

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #10 – July 14, 2020, 11:24:44 pm

Mine is 24 years old and counting. Crap, now I've doomed it

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #11 – July 14, 2020, 11:52:26 pm

27 years with no problems.

P

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #12 – July 15, 2020, 12:10:57 am

Joe that's an incredible price. Did you do the work?

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #13 – July 15, 2020, 10:00:19 am

Bob,

We've got a guy in Auburn, CA that does an excellent job for $65 including aircraft alternators. Might be a little more for a larger alternator and for a major part replacement. Bigger shops have bigger overheads so charge more. Typical job would including cleaning and bead blasting, good bearings, brushes, check and replace diodes, internal regulator.

I love Bosch alternators. Flat screwdriver removes the brush/diode/regulor assembly in about 30 seconds without even loosening the belt(s).

Pierce

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #14 – July 15, 2020, 11:25:28 am

Make sure it is your alternator and not your battery isolator, when the isolator goes bad it does not allow voltage to go through. Check the voltage at the alternator going to the isolator.

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #15 – July 15, 2020, 01:06:16 pm

I went with a Delco Remy 28SI 200amp. I like the open case design. Has to be better cooling. I replaced last year so can't say how good longevity will be.

Delco Remy 8600313 Alternator 28SI 12V 200A | eBay

see ya
ken

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #16 – July 15, 2020, 02:22:15 pm

Quote from: kenhat – July 15, 2020, 01:06:16 pm

I went with a Delco Remy 28SI 200amp.

X2 what Ken says. I bought my Delco last year from FindItParts for $250 (using a 5% off coupon) plus free shipping. Price has gone up a little, but they still offer the coupon deal when you first visit the web page.

I haven't got around to installing mine yet. I'm under no pressure cuz our old alternator is still working OK.

I don't know what is the significance of the slightly different part number between Ken's link and my link.

8600307 by DELCO REMY - School Bus Alternator - 200A, Model 28SI

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #17 – July 15, 2020, 03:05:28 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 15, 2020, 02:22:15 pm

I don't know what is the significance of the slightly different part number between Ken's link and my link.

8600313 is Short Hinge
8600307 is Long Hinge

Either will work, the top brace will rotate to fit.

Note:
The 28SI and 40SI Delcos will not work with the Foretravel OEM diode isolator. They need 12V on the B+ stud at start up to initialize the ASIC regulator chip.

These alternators do NOT have an excite terminal. Connecting ignition excite directly to the alternator "I" (Indicator Lamp) terminal will damage the regulator.

A diode isolator with excite terminal, or a Sterling ProSplit-R with excite terminal will work well with these Delcos, several members have used Delcos with these isolators with great results.

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #18 – July 15, 2020, 03:07:47 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 15, 2020, 12:10:57 am

Joe that's an incredible price. Did you do the work?

No, just called around and found this electric shop that has been in business for well over 50 years and thought, if anyone could check the alternator out, they could. Just was doing some preventive maintenance, per Chris Lang, on the alternator, as it was 19 years old and no issues, but could leave us stranded one day. Not sure if someone wants to drive to Lebanon, TN, but if so, it is called Crooks Electric. Oh, they gave me a veteran discount as well! 10%

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #19 – July 15, 2020, 03:20:24 pm

Quote from: prfleming – July 15, 2020, 03:05:28 pm

Note: The 28SI and 40SI Delcos will not work with the Foretravel OEM diode isolator. They need 12V on the B+ stud at start up to initialize the ASIC regulator chip.

Hey Peter - Howya doin?

Yes, I forgot about that little detail. I am running a Victron Argofet isolator with B+ energize input so no problem. I don't know how Ken hooked up his Delco 28SI. Perhaps it is better we do not recommend these Delco models to the general membership unless we also include caveats.

Victron Argofet Battery Isolator

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #20 – July 15, 2020, 08:01:18 pm

IF you are going to replace the alternator Id say do it with a brushless continuous duty.

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #21 – July 15, 2020, 11:59:15 pm

If you still have an original diode based isolator it may be time to replace it before it fails even if you aren't changing your alternator. The brushless Delco Remy alternators are more efficient, run cooler and use less HP to run.

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #22 – July 16, 2020, 08:52:12 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – July 15, 2020, 11:59:15 pm

If you still have an original diode based isolator it may be time to replace it before it fails even if you aren't changing your alternator. The brushless Delco Remy alternators are more efficient, run cooler and use less HP to run.

You would need to go with the 40SI model to get brushless plus remote sense plus the compatibility of bolt-in J180 hinge mount. Pricey!

Advantages of Brushless Alternators | Delco Remy

http://www.delcoremy.com/getmedia/f651dcc3-60db-4186-80eb-154b8111fdf0/Delco-40SI-Single-Page-Brochure-3-16.pdf.aspx

Delco Remy 8600280 Alternator 40si 12v 275a for sale online | eBay

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #23 – July 16, 2020, 09:12:12 am

Thanks all for the suggestions. BUT, and I do mean BUT. we have had a number of unexpected expenses occur with our vehicles (engine replacement, front wheel spindle, alternator, etc), house (well removal) and medical.
Our budget allocates X dollars for the coach and the repairs I have done so far have limited any additional expenditures beyond just a rebuild of the existing alternator.
Also, consider that, due to medical issues, appointments, our ages, Covid 19, that our use of our coach is severely curtailed. So, major upgrades just do not make sense for us to do to a 31 year old coach, as much as we love it and like to keep it in tip top condition.

Re: Leece Neville Alternator went---again

Reply #24 – July 16, 2020, 12:21:22 pm

I thought I would summarize options that can be used for those contemplating upgrading to a Delco alternator:

Isolators with excite terminal

Sterling ProSplit-R Isolators

Victron Argofet Battery Isolator

Sure Power 240 Amp Isolator

Add your own diode

This is how my 1991 Foretravel U300 was set up, here is a cut from the B-2035 schematic. This is a way to use an isolator without the excite terminal, and still have the Delco alternator work properly. Diode isolators with the excite terminal have a small diode inside connected to the alternator terminal.

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