Fleetwood Discovery alternator problems

[boblew]

I have a 2003 Discovery 39C. 330hp Cat. The unit has 17,000 miles on it and I just put the third alternator in it. Is anyone else experiencing this?

[exrench]

Has anyone actually examined the "defective" units to determine what aspect of the alternators had failed.I have seen numerous units replaced that only required four dollars worth of brushes to return it to service!This is unlikely the case in your case due to the low mileage,but the principle is the same.The alternator is composed of many parts that each has a function and some external factor may be causing the high failure rate.

[Bounderoo]

I have an '03 Bounder with a Cummins ISB and had to replace my alternator at 20K on the mileage. $450 for the replacement. Technician disassembled at my request. The diode was cracked/broken and had caused the unit to cease operation. I have heard from others of the exact same problem.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Diode failure is the most common alternator problem and can easily be rebuilt in an alternator shop. Most dealers simply replace the alternator with a rebuilt, but you could remove it yourself and take it to motor/alternator shop and save a lot.

As to why you suffered three failures in 5 years, it is hard to say. If it is diodes or windings, it could be moisture problems, which could stem from relative lack of use. If it is mechanical failure it could be a misaligned pully or too much tension on the drive belt. Without knowing the nature of the failure it is all guesswork.

[exrench]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bounderoo:
I have an '03 Bounder with a Cummins ISB and had to replace my alternator at 20K on the mileage. $450 for the replacement. Technician disassembled at my request. The diode was cracked/broken and had caused the unit to cease operation. I have heard from others of the exact same problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would hope that you were able to pay the core charge and take the alternator with you since the failed diodes constitute a relatively insignificant fault.When you get to a place where you can get it repaired,the result will be an inexpensive spare to have on hand.

[PrairieGirl]

We have an 03 330 Cat and have replaced the 2nd alternator - going bigger each time. The second time it failed, it shut down our entire electrical system. Our 6 speed Allyson module had to be re-booted to the tune of $1300.

[Triker56]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrairieGirl We have an 03 330 Cat and have replaced the 2nd alternator - going bigger each time. The second time it failed, it shut down our entire electrical system. Our 6 speed Allyson module had to be re-booted to the tune of $1300.

You do know if you see that it has quit working. Start your generator and you should be good to go.

That is if your Inverter/Charger is set up to charge both house and chassis batteries.

Allison doesn't care where its 12V comes from.

[PrairieGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56 You do know if you see that it has quit working. Start your generator and you should be good to go. That is if your Inverter/Charger is set up to charge both house and chassis batteries. Allison doesn't care where its 12V comes from.

Yes, we drove home from Texas the first time on generator power. This time we didn't get the chance. Transmission was shut down before we realized what was happening. The first time, we got dash lights to warn us in plenty of time. 2nd time - dash lights were too late. :-(

[Triker56]

Looks like a VMSpc program could have saved you some money.
You can set a alarm on it for different warnings.

[utahhusker]

I have a 2001 Bounder 39Z and while on a trip this week the voltage meter slowly dropped to zero and when I pulled over rose up a bit but seemed when load was applied(lights, Trans, radio, etc) it dropped again also alternator warning light illuminated. I started the AC Generator and completed my trip. Now it's time for repair I need to know if it's the alternator or possibly something else, from my mechanics experience over the years I believe it's the alternator. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[PrairieGirl]

Probably is alternator but what is causing it. Mechanics not sure why ours went. Completed trip on generator first time but couldn't do that the second time. Module on Tranny had to be re-burned. $1300. In 04 Fleetwood added a safety for the tranny. Mechanic installed the safety on ours this time so we shouldn't do that much damage again. I would ask about having that done. Apparently there was a recall but it didn't include our coach.

[Airtool]

I have a 2000 Bounder and just lost my forth alternator. The 130 amp unit failed twice. Then Fleetwood advised changing to a 160 amp unit,it failed so I went to a 200 amp unit and it lasted the longest,but this past month it failed. With the 200 amp unit I decided to go with a 14.5 regulator in place of the stock 13.5 regulator.
The ECM thought the voltage was a little high at times and the dash check engine light would light from time to time.
Will rebuild the 200 amp unit again with the 13.5 regulator and go with that.
The issue is heat in my humble opinion. So with that in mind a little further investigation into a possible increase in the size of the heat sink for the diode assembly will be the net step. Also will make sure there is plenty of thermal grease on the mounting assembly for the diodes.
Wondering what alternator manufacture is failing on all of you coach's. I know the model of mine and have some thoughts along that line also.
Delco, Leece Neville or Motorola.

Dick.

[PrairieGirl]

Have emailed Fleetwood for insight. We got our coach home and it still has a problem. There is a short somewhere. Sometimes 12V works - sometimes not. Think we have not yet found the cause of the problem.

[Airtool]

PrairieGirl,been reading your posts and it leads me to bad connections on the Alternator or the battery terminals. the problem could be a intermittent ground connection somewhere it the charging circuit. Just loose,corroded or a cable/wire just hinging by the isolation.
When an alternator fails the diodes fail,bearings fail or windings fail. Bad brushes can cause them to come and go also.
You just have to love RVing Dick.

Dick.