Date:         Wed, 3 Feb 1999 00:04:06 -0800
Reply-To:     Dave Bayer <bayer@SYBASE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Bayer <bayer@SYBASE.COM>
Subject:      Alternator question
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello-
        My battery and OXS lights have been acting up lately. They tend to
glow real dim when the rpms drop below 1500 or go above 3800. Sometimes
they kind of flicker brightly (near to the brightness of when the engine
is not running and thus no current is being produced). It did this once before
for about a week or two and corrected itself by the time the replacement
voltage regulartor/brush set arrived. Putting the new voltage regulator in
didn't fix the problem as I thought it would. Thus I am trying to figure
out what could be going on inside my alternator. I am guessing either that
the slip rings that the brushes ride on are wearing out or my stator is
about to go out completely. Anyone know how to diagonsis this better?
        The wire from the D+ terminal was putting out a solid 13V when the
lights were glowing dimly. If I remember correctly, the alternator should
be putting out ~13.5 volts, and thus mine is a little low... Could this be
something else then the stator or the slip rings? The armature has a
permanment magnet and seeing as I have not been dropping my alternator
regularly, I assume that it ok and producing a nice magnetic field. Anyone
know of a source for replacement parts (besides a complete remaned
unit)?

        Looking at a diagram of the inside of the alternator, the stator
should be an easy swap. The slip rings on the other hand, I am not sure
about. Is replacement of those rings  something best left to an alternator
rebuild shop?

dave