Alternator Woes

[Goose]

Ok, In the last month, I've replaced 3 alternators. They seem to collect every ounce of water and mud I go through. All 3 have been full of mud. I take it through mud and a 1-2ft deep river out on our farm and lease land. I love this truck, but I need something that can handle where I go. I'm planning on doing SOA soon with 33's, but i don't know if that will help. Is there any way to waterproof or protect the alt from mud and snow?

[Walkenvol]

move its location on the front of the motor to a higher and dryer spot....in place of the a/c if that's disabled.

[Bornindesert]

Just curious but has the rubberized splash shield been removed from under the engine and radiator support? That thing deflects some of the water or mud away from the alternater.

[gogmorgo]

^Я не думаю что многие члены живут в Москве, lol

 

But yeah, there's not much you can do to waterproof an alternator except get it out of the water. They need ventilation to keep from burning out. There are some off highway alternators that might be better, but still not perfect. You might also try putting on some kind of splash shield or something similar.

[Goose]

I need to put a splash shield up, but that won't help when the water is up to the headlights.

[Bornindesert]

Agree, if it's getting submerged the splash shield wouldn't be as effective. Only other recommendation I've seen is to flush, hose off or power wash the alternater after wheeling it. Goal is to remove the grit or sand so it's not just grinding away at the windings or insulation.

[Goose]

So is it the mud or the water that kills it?

[Bornindesert]

I'd say it's the mud first, acts as an abrasive and water second, once the windings/insulation breaks down the water can short out the winding. Bearings can be a point of failure too, more sensitive to mud than water.

[Goose]

All the alts spun freely and put out voltage, just way to low. I might just make a skid for the mud, jeep it out of the river until I can move the alt.

[Goose]

Voltage was low, I mean.

[ComancheKid45]

Find a factory front skid.....performs the same task as the flimsy junk spash sheild but also looks good and protects some of the steering components

[Goose]

Find a factory front skid.....performs the same task as the flimsy junk spash sheild but also looks good and protects some of the steering components

 

Haha...factory mj parts? In Oklahoma? That's funny right there. I'll probably have to make one. Good to know there are factory mounting points though.

[gogmorgo]

Factory could also be XJ for this piece, no? Or even aftermarket XJ.

[mvusse]

Yes Cherokee engine skid and transfer case skid are the same as the Comanche.

[mvusse]

I'd say it's the mud first, acts as an abrasive and water second, once the windings/insulation breaks down the water can short out the winding. Bearings can be a point of failure too, more sensitive to mud than water.

 

I have taken apart three alternators that quit after playing in mud. On all three the problem ended up being the same: brushes and brush springs were packed up with dried up mud.

[54bobby]

ok, not to threadjack, but how in the hell do you guys clean up your rigs after serious play? seems to me there's mud everywhere.

[Goose]

I use a car wash down the road that has an undercarriage cleaner. I use the high pressure sprayer, then the auto wash.

[mvusse]

ok, not to threadjack, but how in the hell do you guys clean up your rigs after serious play? seems to me there's mud everywhere.

 

Clean my Jeep? :nuts:

 

:laughin: :rotf: :teehee:

 

In all seriousness, though, because I hate working on it and have dirt falling on me, if it's muddy, I usually park it in a low spot on my lawn and hose it off the best I can with the garden hose (usually takes about 2 hours, most of which is doing the undercarriage), followed by an automated car wash. If I feel lazy I set up a lawn sprinkler and park the truck over top of it for a couple of hours to get the underside.

 

That being side, I don't really like mud that much.

[JFAComanche6]

Ok, In the last month, I've replaced 3 alternators. They seem to collect every ounce of water and mud I go through. All 3 have been full of mud. I take it through mud and a 1-2ft deep river out on our farm and lease land. I love this truck, but I need something that can handle where I go. I'm planning on doing SOA soon with 33's, but i don't know if that will help. Is there any way to waterproof or protect the alt from mud and snow?

Do they have a warranty of any kind?

[Goose]

Yeah, they all had lifetime warranties. I'm just tired of changing them out.

[mvusse]

Actually, techincally they probably don't have a warranty. Every warranty clause I have read states that among other things, off road use voids the warranty.

[Goose]

My uncle is my parts guy.

[gogmorgo]

So that means when your truck breaks you cry Uncle? :yes:

[Goose]

Loudly, lol. They are Ultima alts. And they always warrantied them even though they were muddy.

[Goose]

Well, not even 24hrs later, no mud, no sand , no water....It's dead again. Never had this issue before