Crusader/Mando alternator warning
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:15 pm
I replaced my port alternator last year and noticed that the bracket which holds the RF filter was broken. It was broken on the Stb side too but I didn't give it much thought because it's still secured by the wiring. It looks like the bracket just breaks from fatigue and corrosion over the years.
I'm in the engine room flushing the Stb side (still original) and the broken part is sparking like crazy between the body of the alternator! Who knows how long it's been like that... I'm sure it was doing it while underway the same day.
If you still have these alternators, take a look and either secure or remove the filter. I don't think it's really needed and believe it's just a noise filter for FM. The part in question looks sort of like a AA battery with a yellow wire attached. You can easily see it on the Stb engine, port side will be a little harder. One caveat... this was the symptom and my assumption is that the filter was the root cause. If something else failed internally, maybe it's not and the broken bracket(s) are just a coincidence. I have a new alternator coming tomorrow.
Bob
I'm in the engine room flushing the Stb side (still original) and the broken part is sparking like crazy between the body of the alternator! Who knows how long it's been like that... I'm sure it was doing it while underway the same day.
If you still have these alternators, take a look and either secure or remove the filter. I don't think it's really needed and believe it's just a noise filter for FM. The part in question looks sort of like a AA battery with a yellow wire attached. You can easily see it on the Stb engine, port side will be a little harder. One caveat... this was the symptom and my assumption is that the filter was the root cause. If something else failed internally, maybe it's not and the broken bracket(s) are just a coincidence. I have a new alternator coming tomorrow.
Bob