THE BACK STORY.
My battery light was on intermittently on the way home from a tractor show yesterday. Of course this happened at about 4:30 on Friday night. I made the 2 hour journey home just fine. I cleaned the posts and terminals because they were pretty gnarly. I am pulling 12.25 v while running and 12.45 v while off. Sounds like an alternator failure to me.

THE REAL PROBLEM.
I need to use the truck for about 3 hours of driving today and tomorrow. (I do pig roasts on the weekends and need a pickup) Can I just drive it? I charged the batteries last night so they should be good for all day. IIRC the only way you can do damage is if you do not charge the batteries before installing your new alternator. Well, if you leave them super discharged that is never good. But if they never fell below 12 volts in a 2 hours drive that won't be a problem.

WHAT DO I DO FOR AN ALTERNATOR?
NAPA has one for $185. AutoZone is just under that. RockAuto has one for $74 on up to $144. These are all 110 amp alternators.

NAPA said that the local auto electrical rebuilder can build you an alternator that puts out more than 110 amps. Is this something I need? It is a diesel and I do snow plow. Other than that I don't use too much battery. The only thing I might do someday is hook the trailer winch to the truck batteries for more pull. Does that make it something I need?

 

It seems as if the 110 amp has served you well for quite a while now. No reason to go higher IMHO. Im still on my original so no advice on aftermarket units.

 

Get your ORIGINAL rebuilt by the local auto electric shop, stay away, far away from the parts store rebuilts INCLUDING NAPA!

 

I agree with getting your original rebuilt, I went through the same thing about three months ago. Two faulty units from Ford later, I had my original rebuilt by a local rebuit shop with higher output and much better machining and tolerances. Should last much longer than a stock unit.

 

I think that is what I will do. The local shop finally answered their phone (Who doesn't have an answering machine in 2012!?! I can see if you don't have a website, but no answering machine!!!) They can rebuild mine for around $110 or rebuild it up to 140 ams for around $150. Sounds like a good plan to me. He said any bigger and they would need to go to a bigger case etc, but it is certainly possible.

I am very big into antique tractors and tractor pulling. That is one reason I have been away for a while. It seems that whenever I come onto FTE I get modding maddness and I "need" to keep modding my truck. Anyhow, it seems that in the antique tractor world you are always better rebuilding your 60 year old part than buying a reproduction part. This applies to radiators, generators, starters, brake bands, etc.

I can't say my existing unit has served flawlessly. The headlights dim when you lift the plow up. The shop said that isn't a good thing, but isn't terrible. He said to mention it to the rebuilder on Monday when I drop it off. He suggested against driving the truck with no charging system. I do have a work "truck" so it isn't a huge deal. I just hate driving it when I may have to explain things.

 

When the alt went out on my 99 F250 I had a local elec shop rebuild it for me. 2 months later in Fl it craps out! No more rebuilts for me! Went to the local Autozone in Fl and bought a NEW alt. Did not have anymore problems !!

Smokie

 

Curious as to where the Autozone unit came from? China?

 

I don't know where in China ? But it is still workin!!

Smokie