Smart Alternator

OK, then. We now have three diesels that had alternator issues, and one gas that didn't. Not sure if we can include the gas, as it's a half-ton, and I presume the others are at least 3/4 ton. That may make a difference in the electrical systems.

Roger

I heard that the diesels all had too-small alternators before, its why I kept my old truck so long.

If I had to go through all that it wouldn't be warranty work I was looking for, it would have been a buy-back.
I've always owned Fords but the last 20 or so years have been both out of my price range and so plagued with issues I'm glad I can't afford one. I'll keep pounding the miles out of my 300 six banger till there's none left.
Then, I'll go look for another one just like it.
I just wish I had bought one with AC back in '86. But that too was out of my price range then. I remember thinking that $8k for a new truck was insane. Now they want $108k. more than double what I paid for my house, truck, and car combined.
I never had a car payment or mortgage and never will.

GTS225 said:

OK, then. We now have three diesels that had alternator issues, and one gas that didn't. Not sure if we can include the gas, as it's a half-ton, and I presume the others are at least 3/4 ton. That may make a difference in the electrical systems.

Roger

Click to expand...

Haven't checked in for a bit...

You'all suppose that new hire got the task of upping the 55A alternator
design to 150A... Maybe the other old fart cool: ) told him to check the
temperature rise for the wire under full load, and the kid went out
to the test stand an felt the outside (case) of the prototype and
thought "it doesn't feel too hot"...

OR maybe the chinese MOSFETs in the regulator were poor copies
of IR parts originally spec'd... Just sayin'

We'll just have to get the test plan updated to subject the alternator
system to operating for 45 minutes under a broken Therac-25...

I'm thinking more along the lines of stop engineering things to just (minimally and marginally) do the job, and no more. But maybe I'm clueless.

Roger

GTS225 said:

OK, then. We now have three diesels that had alternator issues, and one gas that didn't. Not sure if we can include the gas, as it's a half-ton, and I presume the others are at least 3/4 ton. That may make a difference in the electrical systems.

Roger

Click to expand...

This has been very interesting to me. The handful of those trucks I've worked on around here have never came to me for charging system problems. I did do an alternator on one F350 with the 6.0 diesel, it never came back. Perhaps the milder climate here has something to do with it.

Regardless, I will eat the crow.

old_fart said:

Haven't checked in for a bit...

You'all suppose that new hire got the task of upping the 55A alternator
design to 150A... Maybe the other old fart cool: ) told him to check the
temperature rise for the wire under full load, and the kid went out
to the test stand an felt the outside (case) of the prototype and
thought "it doesn't feel too hot"...

OR maybe the chinese MOSFETs in the regulator were poor copies
of IR parts originally spec'd... Just sayin'

We'll just have to get the test plan updated to subject the alternator
system to operating for 45 minutes under a broken Therac-25...

Click to expand...

?... MOSFET's... ??? I love it when you talk dirty like that... sure blame the device... what about the WAKEFIELD grease???
this site is like Forest's box of chocolates.. ya never know what you will find here...
love it