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05-26-2011, 08:45 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
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Alternator question
I have a 1999 Dutchstar 38 ft and on a recent trip noticed voltage on the instrument panel staying around 12.5. It started raining (and eventually snowing) and voltage started dropping to around 12 and windshield wipers got slower. Suddenly (over the course of about 10-15 minutes) the voltage dropped to 8-10 volts and the engine shut off. I disconnected the tow, pulled the chassis batteries and took to NAPA. They said 1 battery was bad and the other showed recharge and test. I replaced both batteries, drove to the nearest campground and plugged in for the weekend. On Sunday, drove straight home (without blower, headlights, or wipers) and voltage showed 12.5 volts for the trip (4 hours). I am assuming that the alternator has gone bad since with the engine running and testing battery voltage directly with a voltmeter shows no increase from without the engine running, but is there possibly something else to check before I pull the alternator and order a new one? Thanks, Phil
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Phil
1999 Dutch Star 38
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05-26-2011, 09:38 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: arkansas
Posts: 76
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I think that you will have solved your problem, when you put on the new alternator. I had the same problem with mine, and I was stuck in a city, where I didn't know where to go. Went to the nearest truck garage and had it check, and they said that it needed to be replaced, so after overnight and 615.00 bucks lighter, I was on my way.. not a good way to find out, that I could have done it myself, had I been home...
smoker
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05-26-2011, 10:02 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,154
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Belt slipping on alternator???
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2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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05-26-2011, 10:11 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,589
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It could be a bad voltage regulator but in the newer alternators it is internal to the alternator so a complete replacement is in order. The normal voltage output should be 14.5 volts. I would consider Arch's suggestion before ordering the alternator.
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2007 Newmar DSDP 4023
Discovery is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
If you want to see what man made go East; if you want to see what God made go West.
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05-26-2011, 10:56 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 318
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RJay is correct but remember you can start gen set and run while driving and that will almost hold voltage so you can continue on trip with bad alt...
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05-26-2011, 11:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,031
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You might check for a alternator rebuild shop in the area.
The last one I replaced also only was putting out 12.5V by my VMSpc at idle or any RPM.
Mine was a 120 AMP and got it rebuilt for $138 and carry it as a spare.
Bought a 160 AMP new one for $208.65 to put on May 06.
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99 Discovery 34Q ISB
2014 MKS AWD EcoBoost Toad
Fulltime Since "99"
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05-26-2011, 12:04 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
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More alternator questions
I checked for the belt slippage and that looks good, although I will replace the belts when I replace the alternator. I was looking around at the alternator and can't find any markings or label plate. Any ideas on how to ID it?
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Phil
1999 Dutch Star 38
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05-26-2011, 06:58 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
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Removed the alternator. Once I cleaned it up, I could see the data plate. 160 amp. A local shop can rebuild for $160 so that's probably the route I'll take. Anybody have any thoughts negative or positive on rebuild vs new?
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Phil
1999 Dutch Star 38
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05-26-2011, 08:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
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A rebuild is much cheaper than buying a new alternator. I vote for the rebuild.
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2005 Dutch Star 4015
Cummins ISL
2007 Honda CR-V
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05-26-2011, 11:13 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,154
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I suspect if you take it to a rebuild shop they will know exactly what it is. I'd do a rebuild on it also. That way you know what's going on with it.
And if you have to buy a new one I'd go to the original manufacturer.
Aftermarket alternators from Kragens, etc have given me enough problems to cause me to never buy components from them anymore. They'll give you another one when it dies but you still have all the hassel of installing it, etc
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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05-27-2011, 02:06 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
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Just got the alternator back from the repair place.The guy said it would have taken a week to get it apart for a rebuild due to rust. They replaced the brushes and said it was good to go. $55 out the door. I'll get it put back in today or tomorrow (waiting on new belts from NAPA) and keep my fingers crossed.
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Phil
1999 Dutch Star 38
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05-27-2011, 02:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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For future reference, if an alternator goes bad, one should be able to run the generator until you get to a place where further investigation can be made. The generator should keep the chassis batteries charged enough (or at least >12 VDC going into the circuit) to get you to your next destination.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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05-27-2011, 03:03 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 125
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Rebuilt good as new?
Greetings,
Be careful buying a rebuilt alternator. Some shops use too many questionable parts in a hurry to get them out the door. It took me three tries to get one that lasted. One rebuilt alternator installed in Alabama lasted about an hour(cost was $168.00). The second one from the same shop lasted 2,000 miles(cost was $193.00). The third one was new (costs $176.00) from a truck repair facility and is still going strong. This particular truck shop repair lots of log trucks. They don't use rebuilt alternators.
Have fun!
Milt
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Joyce, Milt 2000 Safari Trek 2830
Kettle Falls, Wa
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05-28-2011, 03:43 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
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Back in business
Got the repaired alternator installed. Everything is looking good... at least as far as that problem goes. Thanks for all the input.
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Phil
1999 Dutch Star 38
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