Charging System (UPDATE)

pnichols wrote:

kioticoachman wrote:
I discovered that the alternator seized up and the drive belt (serpentine) broke. I didn't expect that! Called my roadside assistance provider and had it towed to a local tire & auto center that I've done business for some time.

Got it back the next day. Glad it happened here at home as it is you don't go/drive any where without the necessary incidentals. PS - Cooling, Etc. Hopefully it should be ready to go shortly. Thought you all may like to know. Thank you for your assistance in getting this sorted out:). KC

Yep, that's right. You can't go anywhere very long, or at all, with a broken main engine drive belt.

The question I would have in my mind would be - why did the alternator freeze up?

We carry a spare serpentine belt along in our motorhome and we can travel several miles with an alternator not working by using only the engine starting battery - boosted by the coach batteries and with the coach batteries being kept charged up enough with the coach generator running - if the non-working alternator's shaft still spins freely, that is.

Yes that is a good question. The RV is 19 years old (with close to 100,000 miles) and I presume that this is the original alternator. I may have missed some warning signs. However, when the alternator decided to freeze/seize up that is what snapped the belt. Never would of thought that could happen but There was no way you could get the cursed shaft to budge.

You've made an excellent suggestion. I'll be getting an extra serpentine belt to take along AND hopefully, if there's a next time, the alternator shaft will still spin freely. Thank you! KC