Alternator Mortality
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Hawthorne CA
Alternator Mortality
I read through older posts and found out that pep boys alternators do fail after a short time. I am replacing mine for the 5th time (last time was in May). Since it is a lifetime warranty ... and I have a nice breaker bar to take the serpentine belt off, this becomes only a nuisance with my time.
I noticed that this altenator was running at about 14.5 volts continuously - was this the reason for the short life? Is there something wrong with my primary electrical sysem or is it just the pep boys alternator. The battery seems to be OK and the nominal voltage of the battery is 12.0 V.
Thanks,
barrypaul '89 'vette
I noticed that this altenator was running at about 14.5 volts continuously - was this the reason for the short life? Is there something wrong with my primary electrical sysem or is it just the pep boys alternator. The battery seems to be OK and the nominal voltage of the battery is 12.0 V.
Thanks,
barrypaul '89 'vette
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Well.... the Electrical system will send up a warning light if the charging system goes over 16.5 volts, and the battery light comes on under 11.5 volts. My Pep Boys alternator lasted 364 days (kinda funny). But, I also had inadvertantly drained my battery a few times thanks to an electrical drain with the HVAC fan. So I don't know if I over-stressed the alternator, or it just plain quit. :)
Race Director
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: Alternator Mortality (barrypaul)
Somewhat of a general consensus here on the fact that it is heat that kills the ALT's. At idle or low speed there is tremendous heat under the hood and little airflow. ALT doesn't get much airflow even at moderate speeds.
I have had better luck with the NAPA GOLD level rebuild, they have all new parts not just replacement of seriously out of tolerance parts and i think Diodes may be welded in, not soldered.
I have found that ALT output will vary by as much as 1 volt when heat is high.
As long as you keep getting free replacements and don't mind changing them, go for it
Jack
I have had better luck with the NAPA GOLD level rebuild, they have all new parts not just replacement of seriously out of tolerance parts and i think Diodes may be welded in, not soldered.
I have found that ALT output will vary by as much as 1 volt when heat is high.
As long as you keep getting free replacements and don't mind changing them, go for it
Jack
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Alternator Mortality (barrypaul)
I am not so sure the rebuilt stuff you get is really rebuilt. I would think that the rebuilt alternator would last as long as the original one if its rebuilt properly. I suspect some of the stuff they sell just comes out of the junkyard, gets cleaned, painted even if it did come that way, tested and then put in a box. The better ones actuall get new parts installed.
Those diodes might be welded but I doubt it because they'd probably fry from the welding process. Soldering takes place at 700 degrees. I think copper on the other hand melts at 2000 so welding would heat them up a lot more than soldiering.
Those diodes might be welded but I doubt it because they'd probably fry from the welding process. Soldering takes place at 700 degrees. I think copper on the other hand melts at 2000 so welding would heat them up a lot more than soldiering.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
Re: Alternator Mortality (barrypaul)
...I noticed that this altenator was running at about 14.5 volts continuously - was this the reason for the short life...
[Modified by tempest, 10:05 PM 10/22/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Alternator Mortality (barrypaul)
The voltage regulator in the alternator attempts to maintain 14.7 volts output and the current limit circuit will drop this to limit the output current to the rating of the alternator, so you are seeing normal alternator voltage. I don't know why some CFers see such short life out of Pep rebuilts, but I use rebuilt Delcos and they are lasting me 5 years. I open my hood when I park in my driveway except in the winter, but I don't know if thats the reason why mine last.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Winter Park Fl
Re: Alternator Mortality (jfb)
Buy a "rebuilt" lifetime Alt. from a discount auto parts store and spend the rest of your "lifetime" replacing them. Get off your dime and purchase a new Alt. and retire the crowbar.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Alternator Mortality (barrypaul)
Only 5? As referred to in previous posts, you can try this sight for a better quality alternator: http://www.alternatorparts.com.
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