Community Forums

mlwhitt · 12-03-2017, 08:06 PM

2014 CS, 31k. Left on our annual Thanksgiving Trip to Destin,Fla. I knew I had a new noise from the engine and after listening I thought it would be either a Idler or the alternator, decided to leave anyway as it was not too bad. Alternator was still working on the way down but still had the noise. Arrived after dark so next day I removed the belt and it was the alternator - bad bearings. Remove it and took it to Panama alternator and starter and had it rebuilt, new bearings and shims. I had it back in 4 hrs. Great people,family owned. 231.00, was a good price, as I have had too have others rebuilt at home. This was a Leese Neville / Prestolite alternator 200 amp - same company with the starter recall. Prestolite bought out Leese Neville sometime ago according to Panama alt and starter. He say not many options for 200 amp alt.
I was wandering if anyone else has had to repair / replace their alt? I would consider 31k a little premature for this. I'm not looking for anything from Prestolite moneywise, just posting as a possible heads up for others, and a smiley face for Panama Alt. and Starter.
Thanks, and hope the post may help someone else that might be in the panhandle area. ML...

Unplanned Tourist · 12-07-2017, 01:42 PM

Good to hear there are choices like that. I like the idea of rebuilding something better than the "Throw it away" mentality so many have these days. People always talk about cutting pollution and still throw so much in the garbage.

Happy Glamping.

John Jones · 12-07-2017, 04:34 PM

I installed a Delco 28si. Got it at Napa upgraded from 160 amp to 200. Its about half the weight and you can get it most places. If yours fails again, I would look into that option

Chargerman · 12-07-2017, 04:51 PM

I had one rebuilt last year. The guy asked if it was out of a diesel pusher when he got it apart. He figured it was because of all of the dirt and cr*p inside. He said that they don't live long typically because they are in backwards and in the rear where all of the road dirt is kicked up

mlwhitt · 12-08-2017, 03:10 PM

Yep, Delco is what the re-builder recommended. He said he would have to order it and would take a couple of days and a couple of hundred dollars more if I was interested in doing that in the future (he had already re-built mine). Time will tell I suppose.

Have not thought of the dirt, and mounted backwards thing, sounds reasonable though.

Thanks for looking ml..

Steve Ownby · 12-08-2017, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlwhitt

2014 CS, 31k. Left on our annual Thanksgiving Trip to Destin,Fla. I knew I had a new noise from the engine and after listening I thought it would be either a Idler or the alternator, decided to leave anyway as it was not too bad. Alternator was still working on the way down but still had the noise. Arrived after dark so next day I removed the belt and it was the alternator - bad bearings. Remove it and took it to Panama alternator and starter and had it rebuilt, new bearings and shims. I had it back in 4 hrs. Great people,family owned. 231.00, was a good price, as I have had too have others rebuilt at home. This was a Leese Neville / Prestolite alternator 200 amp - same company with the starter recall. Prestolite bought out Leese Neville sometime ago according to Panama alt and starter. He say not many options for 200 amp alt.

I was wandering if anyone else has had to repair / replace their alt? I would consider 31k a little premature for this. I'm not looking for anything from Prestolite moneywise, just posting as a possible heads up for others, and a smiley face for Panama Alt. and Starter.

Thanks, and hope the post may help someone else that might be in the panhandle area. ML...

It is surprising that the alternator bearings would go in such short time and milage. My LN 200 amp alternator was rebuilt last year at 14 years and 110,000 miles. You did the right thing by rebuilding rather than replacing.

dennis45 · 12-08-2017, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chargerman

I had one rebuilt last year. The guy asked if it was out of a diesel pusher when he got it apart. He figured it was because of all of the dirt and cr*p inside. He said that they don't live long typically because they are in backwards and in the rear where all of the road dirt is kicked up

I agree your failure was a tad premature. Mine was 12 years old, 75K, when it bit the dust. I agree the comment by the rebuilder.
I will add that after removing my full width rear flap, I find the engine compartment and the rear of the coach in general stays a lot cleaner.

Soppy · 12-08-2017, 04:32 PM

Your better off rebuilding than replacing and using genuine OEM parts. If you are going to replace your alternator , try to get a new (not rebuilt one).Most times all that's required is replacing the bearings and brushes. Some of the rebuilt units use poor quality parts and the unit will not last very long.