Alternator replacement
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MountainManJoe
Topic author - Sheriff
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I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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- Location: The Pacific North Wet
Re: Alternator replacement
I also decided to paint my battery tray while I had everything apart. It was pretty rusty.
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photo_van
- I sleep in my van
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- Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
- Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California
Re: Alternator replacement
Good photos! I like the flowers you painted on your battery tray 
I didn't pull the dog house but it would have made it easier. An open end (10mm?) on the inner nut works well to keep the terminal (and post) from turning.
Looks like you got the improved tensioner.
I didn't pull the dog house but it would have made it easier. An open end (10mm?) on the inner nut works well to keep the terminal (and post) from turning.
Looks like you got the improved tensioner.
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
Re: Alternator replacement
I went to NAPA and bought a bearing for the tensioner & idler pulley for $7 each, took less than 10 minuets to replace the bearings, I did this when I replaced the alternator a while back, took care of some noise I had.
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MountainManJoe
Topic author - Sheriff
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I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3243
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
Re: Alternator replacement
That's good to know about the bearings. But just going by feel, the spring in the new tensioner was much tighter compared to the old one. Also, the old tensioner was vibrating in the direction of pivot motion.
For me the post didn't turn at all. Friction from corrosion may be causing the the terminal to stick to the outer nut. Maybe some lube would help.photo_van wrote:An open end (10mm?) on the inner nut works well to keep the terminal (and post) from turning.
Is it? I thought it looked identical to the old one, but maybe I missed something.photo_van wrote:Looks like you got the improved tensioner.
Last edited by MountainManJoe on Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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photo_van
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 592
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
- Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California
Re: Alternator replacement
Is it? I thought it looked identical to the old one, but maybe I missed something.[/quote]photo_van wrote:Looks like you got the improved tensioner.
An improvement over the one that (like on my van and others) self destructs at the pivot and falls off completely.
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
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CaptSquid
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1230
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:50 am
- Location: Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
Re: Alternator replacement
I think I'll Plastisol my battery tray when the time comes.
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4
Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4
Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!
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MountainManJoe
Topic author - Sheriff
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I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3243
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
Re: Alternator replacement
My voltage is unstable while driving. It dips all the way down to 13.9V sometimes. That's not normal, right? Shouldn't it be regulated to 14.4V and stay there all the time? I'm wondering if the alternator is crappy, if this is being caused by my battery which is on its last legs (internal shorts?), or a poor connections somewhere. I'll have to get in there with a multimeter when I get a chance. Maybe hook it up to a different battery.
Re: Alternator replacement
A battery with cells starting to go bad will harm a alt/regulator.It causes heat.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
Re: Alternator replacement
TB,
It really depends on the things being run at the time.
Front and rear ac blowers on full, will pull mine to just below 14.
And returns to a normal range when I turn them down or off.
I wouldn't worry about it unless it's happening without a load.
Jim
It really depends on the things being run at the time.
Front and rear ac blowers on full, will pull mine to just below 14.
And returns to a normal range when I turn them down or off.
I wouldn't worry about it unless it's happening without a load.
Jim