Batteries, alternator, or something else?
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 938
From: Fort Worth, TX
Batteries, alternator, or something else?
My battery light has come on half a dozen times in the last week or so, and typically goes off in less than a minute. It is always when the engine is up to operating temps and at low rpms like sitting at a light or pulling out of a driveway. Funny thing is, my Edge Insight always shows typical battery voltage (13.5 - 13.8v) when it happens. That said, I have been noticing unusual voltage swings down as low as 12.6v for a second before jumping back into the 13's. One time I saw 14.9v for a second right after the battery light went off.
Multimeter testing the alternator (one lead on positive alt, one lead on pass battery neg) has shown at least 14v when hot and up to 14.6v cold. Batteries appear normal too:
Passenger / Driver
Cold 12.72v 801cca / 12.88v 813cca
Hot 13.07v 789cca / 13.07v 826cca
Running 13.87v / 13.80v
Batteries are almost 2 years old. Alternator is stock 110v.
Multimeter testing the alternator (one lead on positive alt, one lead on pass battery neg) has shown at least 14v when hot and up to 14.6v cold. Batteries appear normal too:
Passenger / Driver
Cold 12.72v 801cca / 12.88v 813cca
Hot 13.07v 789cca / 13.07v 826cca
Running 13.87v / 13.80v
Batteries are almost 2 years old. Alternator is stock 110v.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 346
From: Breckenridge, TX
Opinions from smarter people than me on using a DVM function to test?
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/be...tal-multimeter
Video I found about it:
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/be...tal-multimeter
Video I found about it:
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 938
From: Fort Worth, TX
Bryan,
Thanks for the link.
Jack,
I'm thinking about maybe going with one of these:
https://www.obbstartersandalternator...02-p-4062.html
Not sure if I need a whole 230amps, but I do want to an inverter that will power a circular saw some day.
Thanks for the link.
Jack,
I'm thinking about maybe going with one of these:
https://www.obbstartersandalternator...02-p-4062.html
Not sure if I need a whole 230amps, but I do want to an inverter that will power a circular saw some day.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,828
Likes: 3,113
From: Jersey Shore
Not sure that's a real Leece-Neville alternator ..........
XDP or FICMRepair would be first choices today, unless you can get a picture of the box and L-N label on the unit you are buying.
I have a Honda 1,000 watt generator for those tasks, it's performed well and I don't need the truck.
XDP or FICMRepair would be first choices today, unless you can get a picture of the box and L-N label on the unit you are buying.
I have a Honda 1,000 watt generator for those tasks, it's performed well and I don't need the truck.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
In talking to Ed and Scott there is a bunch of knockoff Leece-Neville alternators from China.
You can test with the DMM in AC mode when the engine is running. I don't recall what the limit is.
You are only allowed so much AC ripple and a bad diode can dump AC ripple.
You can test with the DMM in AC mode when the engine is running. I don't recall what the limit is.
You are only allowed so much AC ripple and a bad diode can dump AC ripple.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 938
From: Fort Worth, TX
Well, now that I know what AC ripple is:
https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_AC_ripple_voltage
Here's how to test for it and acceptable limits:
Now I understand why it sounds like a bad diode.
https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_AC_ripple_voltage
Here's how to test for it and acceptable limits:
Now I understand why it sounds like a bad diode.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 938
From: Fort Worth, TX
I went with the Bosch and overdrive pulley, and no more battery light. Battery voltage on the Edge Insight typically shows 13.9 - 14.1v cold, and 13.5 - 13.8v hot, which is a little higher on the cold side than the old alternator and the same when hot.
When testing AC ripple as shown in the video I posted, the old alt measured 30.6v and new alt 30.4v with my multimeter on its lowest AC setting of 200. Not sure how to explain those numbers unless its time for a new tester?
The diode test as shown in Bryan's vid resulted in a reading of 523 one way and no reading the other. Good call Jack.
When testing AC ripple as shown in the video I posted, the old alt measured 30.6v and new alt 30.4v with my multimeter on its lowest AC setting of 200. Not sure how to explain those numbers unless its time for a new tester?
The diode test as shown in Bryan's vid resulted in a reading of 523 one way and no reading the other. Good call Jack.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 938
From: Fort Worth, TX
Three months and the Bosch is charging at 11.9 volts. I tried to setup a warranty return at rockauto, forgetting that this alternator isn't specified for my truck (even though its listed on their website for an 05 F450 6.0L) and now they're saying its "non-returnable". I just may be done with rockauto. Gonna try to get through to a human on Monday but I don't feel very hopeful about that right now after going through their "help" menus.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Three months and the Bosch is charging at 11.9 volts. I tried to setup a warranty return at rockauto, forgetting that this alternator isn't specified for my truck (even though its listed on their website for an 05 F450 6.0L) and now they're saying its "non-returnable". I just may be done with rockauto. Gonna try to get through to a human on Monday but I don't feel very hopeful about that right now after going through their "help" menus.
There is a way to fix the return issue. Did you use a credit card? Do you know what a chargeback is?
Get the card issuer involved and I bet somebody may come around.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,828
Likes: 3,113
From: Jersey Shore
The last few years I've never talk to a RA rep, just emails, but they've handled any warranty issues. If Chris still has the box it will state where it was made.
Chris have you checked through your wiring?
Chris have you checked through your wiring?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
Per Jack's advice, I bought the
on Amazon when my voltages started jumping up and down. It's either a 135 or 140 amp alternator. I had it shipped while traveling cross country in my van and installed on the road.
