Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 12:00:44 -0700
Reply-To: wilden1@JUNO.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Alternator Deal"what is busdepot's record on this"
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I think you'll find that the 90 amp units were installed on vehicles with
the increased electrical loads of A/C (OEM) power windows, heated / power
mirrors, front and rear heater blowers, possibly things I've never seen
on later Vanagons.
In 8 years I never had any problems running a 65 amp and even when
camping running a 12v TV/VCR, the Van Radio, Interior Lights, 12v
Florescent light.
The maximum charge your battery can take is about 15 amps before it
starts to overheat and gas-off.
However when running down the road with the A/C, Westy Fridge and lots of
headlights / driving lights the regulator that sends the charge to your
battery is running the vehicle.
It might be putting out 35 amps or more but the battery isn't getting
much of that.
When a battery is fully charged the Alternator / Regulator do not charge
the battery, the battery must first develop resistance (specific gravity
of electrolyte be reduced) to trigger the charge process.
As for other vehicles .............. my 86 Olds Custom Cruiser Wagon has
a 115 amp alternator, this might be necessary because the engine is only
turning 2400 rpms at 70 mph, In relation to the 4000 plus that a WB
Vanagon engine turns.
So 90 amps at what rpms?, 65 amps at what rpms?.
In local driving the Vanagons with 90 amps and all the power accessories
probably only churn out 35 amps or so, just like the 65 amp equipped
vans.
If your battery is nearing the end of it's life it'll cook the alternator
(happened on every Cadillac I've owned) they just quit together.
I'm of the opinion that Vanagons do exactly the same thing.
If you've two battery's you're just doubling the load on the alternator
and you can expect to have problems down the road.
That hasn't been proven by list members contributions but I've had a few
dual battery trucks & motor homes and I found it to be true in every
case.
Go to some motor home sites and check out the alternator specs on those
units.
You'll also find that they use dual regulators in many cases so only one
battery can receive a charge at any given time.
Stan Wilder
On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 08:10:42 -0700 gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM> writes:
> Fred,
> I think if you look at other vehicles you will
> find that very few have the 90 amp version that comes
> in the vanagon. I think that 65 amps is the
> standard.
> I am not so sure that a 65 amp would not work? It is
> possible that it may work better. My logic is that
> all of the 90 amp are old alternators that have been
> rebuilt and perhaps while they were being used they
> may have been charging in excess of 65 amps, while a
> 65 amp always charges at a rate lower than 65 amps.
> The size of the 90 amp and 65 is the same, only more
> windings in the 90 amp. My logic is that the 65 amp
> runs cooler and is perhaps a bit newer than any 90
> amp.
> On the other hand I think none of us know what we get
> when we buy a rebuilt 90 amp. It may only have the
> plate that says it is a 90 amp. Who takes the time
> to check the output? Long and short of it is to do
> what you can afford but pay attention to any new
> sounds from the alternator and check your output
> voltage once a year. Many happy miles, gary
> --- Fredrich Hesterberg <FredsVW@webtv.net> wrote:
> > Mr Gary,
> > Funny thing you say.
> > "Hard to find on road"
> > I thought so too.
> > I call 4 parts places.
> > $ parts places have more than one Vanagon alternator
> > in stock.
> > I thought this was funny.
> > Then I find out the alternator is used in more than
> > just in Vanagon.
> > It is a common VW part for many vehicle.
> > So I think ths may not be a problem, when you need
> > on road.
> > Try this.
> > Open phone book and ask for a alternator at any
> > local parts store for
> > your machine.
> > You may have big suprise.
> > Good Evening,
> >
> > Fred
> >
> >
>
> > ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822
> > Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 09:38:45 -0700
> > From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
> > Subject: Alternator Deal"what is busdepot's record
> > on this"
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > When my alternator went out there was no real
> > choice.
> > I was stupid, ignored the warning signs of a bad
> > bearing and thought I could drive a good distance
> > without an alternator. Never will make that
> > mistake
> > again. I think that buying from thepartsbin or
> > the
> > busdepot or any vendor we can bash on this list if
> > the
> > product fails or give credit if the product holds up
> > is a good choice. If you must buy local go with a
> > quality rebuild. If you pay less than 100 dollars
> > I
> > would rebuild your own with parts from the list
> > vendors and take the time to know what you have.
> > This is too important of a part to not put some
> > money
> > or time into it. What is your time worth when you
> > break down because of a cheap part. Batteries are
> > easy to replace on the road. Alternators are easy
> > to
> > replace but hard to find when you are on the road.
> > gary
> > Subject: Re: Alternator Deal.
> > My local NAPA guy told me that he was informed that
> > the 104.00
> > "Standard" NAPA alternators are only cleaned and
> > repaired, not rebuilt.
> > "Premium" NAPA alternators for our Vanagons are
> > completely rebuilt but
> > are priced at over 200 bucks.
> > =A0
> > what he said,
> > Dan Hall
> > '86 Westy Weekender
> > "Das Boot"
> > =A0
> > =A0
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Fredrich Hesterberg
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 10:57 PM
> > Subject: Alternator Deal.
> > I find the alternator dead on my 88 Westy last
> > night.
> > I call 4 places this morning.
> > VW first.
> > $489.00
> > Foreign Car Parts Place
> > $189.00 ( rebuilt Beck Arnley)
> > A Local parts house
> > $136.00 ( I do not know who rebuilt it )
> > Finally NAPA
> > $104.00 and a 3 year guarantee.
> > I think this is good price, and like the warrantee,
> > and had it this
> > morning and put in Van.
> > No mail order.
> > No wait.
> > No ship charges.
> > It is a 90 amp alternator--I checked with meter.
> > I figure why rebuild myself--no warrantee--and It
> > took
> > me half hour to
> > pick up part and install.
> > Good Evening,
> > Fred
> >
> > FredsVW@webtv.net
> > __________________________________
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> >
>
>
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