Interesting Alternator issue 85 G30 (RV) - 02/16/23 02:25 PM
Hello all.
I work for a company that works on RVs.
We recently had a customer come to us with an 85 Fleetwood Jamboree that wouldn't start. It's built on a Chevy G30 with the engine swapped to a 396.
I figured this out and can get it running.
But an alternator issue has come up.
This thing has two batteries. One for the engine and one for "house." These banks are normally separated by an isolator solenoid. Which was one of the issues I have already fixed.
After I got the it running I realized the alternator wasn't working. I pulled it, got it tested and when it tested bad, I replaced it. After installing the new one, it immediately started charging at 18V. After a couple of normal checks I pulled it again and had the new one tested. Two different parts stores and it tested good at both. I re-installed it and still had the same issue.
I dove deeper into the wiring and realized the alternator was connected to the House bank (along with the starter) so it was probably reading 1 voltage while trying to get to another so it was increasing the output trying to get there but couldn't.
I rewired the start/charging system back to the way it should be. Alternator no has a direct connection to the engine battery. But now it isn't charging at all. While it was running, the engine battery voltage was sitting at 12.05 (+/- 0.01) and not going up.
It has a pretty nasty coolant leak so I can't run it for very long until I get that fixed.
I have replaced the connector on the alternator and that didn't help.
The main power wire for the ignition was connected with an alligator clamp. That has been replaced with a 40amp fuse and hardwired.
The grounds look "decent" but I plan to clean those up and check again.
Any advice is appreciated.
I work for a company that works on RVs.
We recently had a customer come to us with an 85 Fleetwood Jamboree that wouldn't start. It's built on a Chevy G30 with the engine swapped to a 396.
I figured this out and can get it running.
But an alternator issue has come up.
This thing has two batteries. One for the engine and one for "house." These banks are normally separated by an isolator solenoid. Which was one of the issues I have already fixed.
After I got the it running I realized the alternator wasn't working. I pulled it, got it tested and when it tested bad, I replaced it. After installing the new one, it immediately started charging at 18V. After a couple of normal checks I pulled it again and had the new one tested. Two different parts stores and it tested good at both. I re-installed it and still had the same issue.
I dove deeper into the wiring and realized the alternator was connected to the House bank (along with the starter) so it was probably reading 1 voltage while trying to get to another so it was increasing the output trying to get there but couldn't.
I rewired the start/charging system back to the way it should be. Alternator no has a direct connection to the engine battery. But now it isn't charging at all. While it was running, the engine battery voltage was sitting at 12.05 (+/- 0.01) and not going up.
It has a pretty nasty coolant leak so I can't run it for very long until I get that fixed.
I have replaced the connector on the alternator and that didn't help.
The main power wire for the ignition was connected with an alligator clamp. That has been replaced with a 40amp fuse and hardwired.
The grounds look "decent" but I plan to clean those up and check again.
Any advice is appreciated.