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Topic: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp (Read 556 times) previous topic - next topic

Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

At FOT, Had alternator go out on the way to GV reunion, had one put on at Love's, they told me they don't normally work on RVs but would help if they could, they had an alternator that seemingly worked and we made it here @ 2am. While here, I learn about Duvac and alternators and also discover that my batteries are down and realize that Love's probably didn't know or understand the difference my MH is from a regular truck alternator. Long story short(too late for that) Foretravel doesn't have the 190 amp Leece Neville alternator that shows what should go in my coach, but the shop foreman says the 160 amp one they do have will work. Seeking advice from all who know more about alternators than me. If Love's truck stop will work with me about swapping out the alternators, I may take it back to them as I've already bought one from them and now the 160 amp LN is almost 700. The other problem is a leaking water pump and finding the OEM for a 28 year old coach is presenting a challenge. Trying to get back to ATL, having to miss another week of work.
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #1 –
Do you have the original alternator?  If so you might be able to get it rebuilt in Naco or at least Lufkin.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #2 –
Unfortunately I was not smart enough to keep the original alternator
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #3 –
Got a rebuilt alternator for my 2001 U320 here in Houston for $130
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #4 –
Michael,

All you need to do is fire up your generator and turn on your boost switch.  The generator will keep both sets of batteries charged while you drive.  You can drive home that way without even having an alternator.

Has been done many times by Forum members.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #5 –
What you need to do is find a competent auto electric shop that understands DUVAC. The alternator you have can be modified for DUVAC cheaply.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #6 –
Quote from: mikerox –
The other problem is a leaking water pump and finding the OEM for a 28 year old coach is presenting a challenge.
For water pump try searching part number 3802081
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #7 –
Thats the part # I had, but Cummins gave me a different part #??
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #8 –
As far as I know the generator will provide 120v to the charger which will charge the house batteries.  As it was originally configured only the alternator or a supplemental charger will charge the start batteries unless the boost switch is on.

A DUVAC alternator has been modified so that is needs an ignition source to function.  Normal alternators do not.  And the LN alternators operated at a higher voltage to accommodate the voltage loss in the diode based isolator.  Check to make sure the pulley on the alternator is the correct size.

Most alternators have a sense wire connected to the start batteries. This helps them charge them a bit faster.  If the new alternator is connected to the old isolator and does not have sense wire then the voltage supplied after the isolator is lower than what you need.  It might just be cheaper to replace the isolator with a modern zero voltage loss one.  You will get 0.7 to 1.0 more volts to the batteries.

$120 at BayMarine and you can get a discount using FFMember in the appropriate place.

Victron ArgoFET Battery Isolator

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Alternator 160 amp vs. 190 amp

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
A DUVAC alternator has been modified so that is needs an ignition source to function.
Not necessarily. Mine does not. Only a sense wire is used and the DUVAC wire goes to the inside of the alternator.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.