Alternator Woes (again)

[MattG]

My 2012 WK2 diesel original alternator failed around the 65k mark, still no recall which is bullshit, but I replaced it at the time with an aftermarket Jaylec unit. All good for another 30k (3 years), but today my replacement failed as well. Luckily wasn't 100km's from home like last time and got it to my driveway. The loss of power steering and alarms and shit going crazy (wipers!) is pretty full on (I'd buried the memory).

Anyway, put it on the charger straight away to hopefully save the battery. Started it this arvo and confirmed no voltage increase so yep alternator dead again. I am running a second rear 120AH battery not via a dc charger, just a simple kickass voltage sensing relay. I haven't had any charging issues. Also have been towing a camper with 2x120ah lithiums through a redarc30. Probably 6-8 trips a year. I'm thinking my setup is possibly working the alternator like a dog, would a dc-dc charger for the rear car battery be better for current draw?

I still have the original alternator so getting it rebuilt and upgraded might be an option. I do need to get my car back on the road asap so can just go another "cheapo" from US auto parts for $600, but want reliability. Anyone had the alternator rebuilt?

The alternator, aircon condensor, fuel pump relay have now all been replaced twice on a 10 year old vehicle with 95k on the clock. Power steering pump is next. Maybe not unreasonable.

[LeCheese]

Send your invoices through to FCA - even though there's no official recall, they're consistently replacing/reimbursing people for them at this point.

I'd leave out the part about charging another 120AH off it though. Definitely seems like these alternators are more likely to go if they've had a harder life

[MattG]

Hmmm.. my original was three years ago, but I do have the paperwork haha. Might try it on.

[drover]

If you do an audit of power use you will see how much load is put on the alternator, power steering can demand 80amps in some cases and having lights on auto gives it thumping as well............ I have my lights on manual, the only extra draw is when towing and the van fridge sucking on the power, the batteries charge by solar, since we off grid all the time see no need for the Jeep to charge van batteries at all but looking at my readouts my alternator is usually around the 29% load at idle, no lights pother than DRL's, no radio so once moving and the steering fires up that would increase a bit I imagine ............... I would have a decent DC-DC charger to juice up an auxillary battery and not tapped into the battery wiring either, would have a pick up form the jump start pins under the bonnet, less chance of current loss, I would have the ability to plug the aux into either solar or mains when parked up for periods to take the load off the alternator as much as possible...

While I have found the rectifier I haven't found a supplier here in Oz.....but a Auto sparky it shouldn't be a big drama really..... its just an ordinary alternator..

Rectifier
GA1200 ..... https://gauss.com.br/produtos/en/p/ga1200/

I would have thrown the old one on a sparkies bench to fix for just in case... would use better diodes as well.

[layback40]

Originally Posted by drover

Rectifier
GA1200 ..... https://gauss.com.br/produtos/en/p/ga1200/

I would have thrown the old one on a sparkies bench to fix for just in case... would use better diodes as well.

Good luck finding the diodes!
Most suppliers want to sell 1,000 at a time.
The complete unit maybe obtainable.
They may use the diodes in some nonautomotive application like power suplies & welders.

[JnK]

Search the the rectifier from the alternator model - 104210-6590.

Appears to be 2 sources at least in Au....
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/27441973...oAAOSw2M1gaAxy
and
https://www.rolan.com.au/jaylec-rect...9-16-8536.html

John

[drover]

Originally Posted by layback40

Good luck finding the diodes!
Most suppliers want to sell 1,000 at a time.
The complete unit maybe obtainable.
They may use the diodes in some nonautomotive application like power suplies & welders.

I was meaning the whole diode plate/rectifier..............