engine and coach battery not charging

[DougCanuck]

I have a 2003 FD twin with 38,000 miles on it. It would appear that the alternator has failed because the operating voltage when the engine is running drops immediately to about 11.6 volts, from a fully charged battery.


I managed to get home on our last trip by running the auxilary generator as we drove, and connecting the coach batteries to the engine batteries with a pair of wires that I added.


I took Rita (our Rialta) to a mechanic on our trip who had never worked on a Rialta. He thought it must be the regulator but found it hard to believe because the vehicle has such low mileage. He tried unsuccesfuly to locate a replacement alternator.


Questions:


Is the regulator built into the alternator?


Before I pull the alternator and run a bench test on it, is there something else I should be checking?


A new alternator is effing expensive. I don't really want someone elses high mileage rebuilt. If the problem is the regulator, can it be replaced in my existing alternator?


By the way .....My engine warning light came on ...eventually ...but only after driving a few hundred miles with the alternator (supposedly) not working. My scan gauge does not report a default code.


Any bright ideas?

[mloganusda]

Your regulator can be replaced at a very low cost instead of purchasing a new alternator. Check with a rebuilder in your location.

[DougCanuck]

I took the alternator to a rebuilder who bench tested it. He told me that it was worn out. ie. it needed bushings, brushes and new regulator. I asked him if he was surprised that it was worn out after only 38,000 miles (60,000 km) and he told me that it was typical of a 150 amp alternator keeping the coach and engine batteries charged. He rebuilt it for $175 (Canadian) and warranties it for two years. I was very pleased. If I had bought a rebuilt off the shelve it would have been closer to $700 here in Canada. I reinstalled it, and I'm good to go.

[bigdan]

greattttt.....



good for some more years of boondocking !