New alternator troubleshooting
Just read an interesting article in Motor magazine- http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=2358 I found this part to be of particular interest: Several more recent vehicles use a variety o...
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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.
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.
