1998 Fleetwood Flair voltage irregularity

[Davidsoup]

Hi,
We purchased a 1998 Flair (25). We're new to RV'ing.
The lot of us (wife, kids and 4 legged) drove down to Florida and back clocking 6500 miles.
On the way there the battery gauge would jump between 14 and 19 but I only noticed it at night when the front lights would increase and decrease in intensity. It did this intermittently.
On the way back, half way, it started also cutting power very very briefly off and on intermittently. Sometimes the ship would just drive normal and then it started and stopped again for no apparent reason.
When it caused the throttle to die, I'd just floor it for a second and it got its breath back.
We drove this way for thousands of miles as we had to get back home but now that we're back, I'd like to try to diagnose the problem.
Has anyone every experienced something like this?
Thanks.

[Arch Hoagland]

What engine is in it?

Sounds to me like the alternator might be going bad.

[Davidsoup]

Its the older 7.4L engine.
I just don't understand why it would be off and on.
For example, it showed itself just a bit coming through Nevada in to South Lake Tahoe but almost none existent for the last 2 hours of trip. Worst was up in north rim of Grand Canyon. I thought it was finished. But it's not altitude because same happened in Alabama.

[Arch Hoagland]

I've been repairing electronic equipment 50 years and there is nothing more frustrating than an intermittent problem.

I love the ones that have smoke pouring out...easy to find the problem...lol

[Davidsoup]

Yep!
Been driving with spare battery. Probably add spare alternator to that.

[udidwht]

Very likely the alternator. If you replace it I'd also replace the IRD (Isolator relay delay), Solenoid and Bird up front. How many miles on the coach? Ford or GM chassis?