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02-27-2020, 02:12 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 628
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Alternator Reliability
I've seen several postings re: Powermaster Alternators working well yet quitting after a few years.
I'm wondering if high belt pressure causes front bearing failure. Any thoughts? or Alternative Alternators? Should bearing failure indeed be a problem...has anyone found a solution? |
02-27-2020, 04:55 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
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Re: Alternator Reliability
Which model are you referring to ?
Have been running a GM alternator for over 20 years with no issues.
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02-27-2020, 05:56 AM | #3 |
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Location: FP, NJ
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Re: Alternator Reliability
Is it possible that an aftermarket alternator could be using low grade bearings to shave his costs to boost profit? Maybe it would be wise to buy an alternator and replace the bearing with a better quality piece from the get go. The fact that alternators carry only a low current through the brushes and those brushes contact a non-segmented rotating surface is what makes the alternator such a clear cut choice over a generator. You should also cut bearing load by reducing belt tension to only what is required at high charging currents.
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02-27-2020, 08:58 AM | #4 | |
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Re: Alternator Reliability
Quote:
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02-27-2020, 09:49 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oakmont, Pa (Longwood)
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Re: Alternator Reliability
Like Merc-51 been using for over 10 years, no problem, first one I used new had a humming noise so Powermaster sent me a new one and still going strong.
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02-27-2020, 09:54 AM | #6 |
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Re: Alternator Reliability
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As for tight belt, I’d be more concerned with water pumps, than the alt.
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02-27-2020, 01:33 PM | #7 |
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Location: Lake worth Florida
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Re: Alternator Reliability
13 yrs and no problem. Dang it seems like just yesterday .
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02-27-2020, 02:55 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 1,627
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Re: Alternator Reliability
I ran a PowerMaster 12 volt generator-look-alike alternator which burned out after less than three thousand miles. The wiring and diodes failed, not the bearings. That look-alike alternator is really a small car alternator stuffed inside of the look-alike case. Probably does not ventilate as well as it should. I got it repaired by a good alternator shop, but do not expect long life from it.
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02-27-2020, 03:47 PM | #9 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Florida and Penna.
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Re: Alternator Reliability
Quote:
motor company, Chestnut Hill Electric near Lancaster, Pa. suggested they use a 24 volt stator and 6 volt diodes and an adjustable voltage regulator. This allowed it to provide 7.2 volts at idle with a LARGE 39 Ford pulley. On the 7 alternators I made the adjustable voltage regulator was mounted inside the rear cover plate with a hole through the cover plate to adjust the idle voltage. I had two of them made 10 or more years ago and they still work good. We used a 39 Ford front generator mount with the big bearing and had to make a shaft adaptor for the front of the shaft for the pulley to mount on. The last picture shows the long term end results of an over tight fan belt. This pump was of a 35 Ford that belonged to a friend of mines father. The two end covers were 2 of seven alternators I made a number of years ago and all seven still work good. G.M.
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