New alternator troubleshooting

I think I witnessed A ram Powerwagon's alternator limiting amperage tonight feeding a depleted Lifeline GPL-31Xt battery.

When alternator temperature rose to 220F, more RPM would not increase amperage beyond the mid 80s it was providing at the time.

When it first hit 220F, the oil temp was 135f, the coolant 155F.

The battery voltage had only climbed to 13.2v, so it was not the limiting factor.

I think the bearings in my personal alternator, not the Ram powerwagon's, are done. It is making a whirring even under a light load. I am use to that noise only when making 50+ amps, but I have yet to rule out the belt.

But It is due anyway. I max it out often and it is now 8 or 9 years old.

Chris Bryant wrote:
Adding to the irony is that many accessories which were typically engine belt driven are going electric, like power steering.

True. My DD has electric braking system, (SBC) cabin heat and AC at start-up. AC, without the compressor is a bit different. Kind of nice having instant heat on a stone cold vehicle at start up.

The...

"Drive all the way across town to save twenty-fove cents a gallon on gasoline syndrome.

I worked on a 2003 Honda Accord that has a similar control for charging the battery that is located in the "fuse box". Control has gone bad and you have to buy a new fuse box to do repair. Honda wants $550.00 just for the fuse box, and maybe add about $100 labor. I seriously wonder if this system saved the owner $650 since they have owned it.

Anyway Chris, despite my grumbling, thank you for the link and news. I can only wonder when Detroit is going to unscrew it's neck from it's head and fix the cross-thread.

Oooooooooo how about an ALARM? Connect thermistor pads, multiples to a battery bank and when the alarm detects a voltage temperature fault the alarm alerts the user. Or when a bank of batteries emits uneven battery temperature, an alarm alerts the operator? Ooooooooo not plug & play. A system should do something, anything even if it's wrong, then chuck the operator a cold one out of the ice-chest. Now THAT would sell like hotcakes.

Adding to the irony is that many accessories which were typically engine belt driven are going electric, like power steering.

Interesting until I got to the 80 percent state of charge. If you think high antimony batteries suffer from chronic stasis at <80% wait a few years until this is abandoned. GM seems to be the epitome of gyro gearloose wackoism.

Like the fixed voltage 1116405 voltage regulator set to 15.0 volts because GM wanted everyone to replace the Delcotron battery with a like, calcium/calcium battery.

Or the CS 130 alternator with the fully exposed 2000XX rear (slip ring end) bearing exuding a great deal of maagnetism from the rotor.

Or the expensive optional windshield in the Cadillac's that supposedly offered enhanced visibility at night. The windshield was an ambulance chaser's dream come true.

An air-conditioning compressor sucks a lot more HP than an alternator feeding hotel loads. Is there any talk of better insulation or gold foil inside windows? No.

When OEM pays attention to a feasible PERMANENT method to compensate temperature and oltage regardless of the origin of the battery then I will stop laughing at Leis Carroll hookah dreams.