Vehicle & Technical > Discovery

Deep water kills alternator

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clbarclay:
There is a simple way to make alternators last longer which is to not go deep wading :lol: or is that not an option?

I have seen splash covers made from plastic bottles to help keep parts like distributors and alternators drier, but if its are going to be stationary and submerged in muddy water then you can add then to the list of wearing parts along with wheel bearings etc. I wouldn't be surprised if there are companies making specialist alternators that are designed to work submeged, but I don't like to think what the cost would be.



If a mug is say around 300ml volume and 10 minuets is 600 seconds then that water could have leaked in at a rate of only 0.5ml per second.

I would check that the wading plug is seasling properly for a start, do the threads on plug and housing look ok or are the showing signs of wear. If its the type of plug with a rubber seal, then is it in good condition or presished/damaged?

marky:
I've always had the battery warning light come on and a loss of the rev counter after a days playing. After hosing down the alternator and cleaning the electrical contacts where the three wires are bolted on, it's always been fine. Are you sure its knackered?
This time after last weekends jaunt at three holes it did exactly the same thing, but now the stud has sheared on one of the connectors :evil: When I've got it fixed I was thinking about a nice big blob of silicon over said connections to keep all of the crap out.

lurch_917:
high bobtail  when  you say the revecounter has stoped is your batt  light  comming on  if not check the small feed wire off  the back of the alternator as  sometimes these get crapped up just put another end on  . now on the waterside  it might  be your timeing cover gasket leaking

yellowbelly:
You will not be able to run without an alternator. When the voltage from the battery drops your stop solenoid will kick in and stop the engine. - Ask me how i know!!

Ditch Diver:
In my limited experience running without an alternator can be quite successful. Assuming you have a good battery, do not stop (therefore start) the engine often and do not use lights etc. You should easily be able to last a days offroading - but since you have a duff alternmator why not just swap the good one for the duff one when you expect to get wet then replace with the good one later. Good idea to invest in some good jump leads, always carry them and go with a mate !

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