-
AIR COOLED ALTERNATOR CONVERSION
Time to retire the 50DN on my S60; the original went 120,000 but now I’ve gone through a new replacement and a reman in 40,000 miles.
I’m considering the Penntex air cooled conversion of the 50DN and the Niehoff C701. I’m inclined to try the Penntex as it’s a simple bolt-on replacement using the same everything. Looking for any feedback from members who have experience with either.
-
13 Replies
-
I have not done it, but I seem to remember a thread over on POG about them. Maybe check that source if nobody here has done it??
-
By golly, that was my thread, I’d forgotten! Anybody have any updates since Jan., 2011.
-
Go figure…….in today’s manufacturing environment the ability to hold tolerances to standards unmatched 25 years ago it would seem whatever the life of a product is, all will be about the same. My 87 coach had a 50DN failure at around 100,000 miles, then 2 more failures within a week. The third replacement went 150,000 at which time I sold the coach with it still working. Those were the gear driven, mounted over the transmission alternators and that was a repair I left to Prevost in NJ. By the time they had replaced it three times they were getting good at it.
I replaced the original 50DN on my 97 coach myself and it seems like that was at 180,000 or so. The point is one can assume the 50DN has a life ranging from a few miles to almost 200,000 and anything in between. When I was at Prevost training and the topic was the electrical system one comment that was revealing is that the Bosch alternators which are now being used (up to 4 per coach) apparently have significantly tighter manufacturing tolerances than the 50DN because it was suggested if one fails, replace them all because the failures can be expected around the same time.
Maybe the ones Joel is considering will have a better and more predictable life span. Since he has OTR it is unlikely he is running his alternator anywhere near its max output because in his Liberty, unless he dry camps a lot overnight all his alternator is doing is topping off his batteries, as opposed to running AC units through his inverters.
-
Actually, all of my 50DN failures on the S60 were related to oil leaks and/or poor workmanship which is why I want air cooled. I’m hoping the air cooled will be able to take the extreme temps of the southwest.
Dry camping (although I do it frequently) doesn’t really use the 50DN; I recharge with the gen/inverters. My heaviest alternator use comes after a night in a truck stop recharging and ( I assumed) running road air was also a major player.
-
My bad choice of wording. I meant the overhights in a truck stop with the alternator charging things up when the bus is started.
I am surprised you are giving up because of oil leaks. Either that or my experiences have been unique. With the exception of some minor weeping behind the pulley mine have been dry. That seal and possibly the seal on the rear plate are the only two places where leaks are typically found and both are easy fixes. No?
-
I was in the Fire Service for a very long time. The only alternator that would stand up to that rigorous service was Niehoff. What didn’t have a Neihoff, we swapped out; all new equipment we spec’d the Neihoff. If you can go with a competitor that just “bolts up”- that would be a strong consideration, and you can purchase local. With the Niehoff you want to make sure you have a Cerified Service Center that is close, if needed. You want to stay away from someone who says, “Oh, we work on those.” When in fact they have never seen one.
Fred ’01 CC Magna
-
How about a link fast Freddy?
-
Here’s the link for the info on C.E. Neihoff, that I should have included: Neihoff Again, if your alternator of choice is an exact replacement for what you have, and is a “plug and play,” that may well be your best choice. The Neihoff that you have selected does have an external regulator and may even require a wiring change. Is that going to be an issue for your install? If you haven’t already, get Neihoff’s thoughts on what you are trying to do and that it’s a motorhome bus conversion with multiple battery banks.
Fred ’01 Plastic
-
Thx Fred, glad to hear of your good experiences with Niehoff. My local supplier is pushing me to the Penntex Delco conversion because that’s what he stocks and services. The prices seem competitive and the Niehoff wiring changes do not seem extensive. I guess it’s 6 of 1 or 1/2 dozen of the other for me unless someone comes up with a horror story.
Jon: Having replaced 3 alternators in 3 years because of oil leaks (yes, 1 had the newly designed cover and still leaked and I tightened all the bolts on the 2nd) seems kind of like asking Mrs. Lincoln how she liked the play except for the 1 minor incident.
-
Joel, I should probably play the lottery. I have either been incredibly lucky, or you have been incredibly unlucky. I have had my share of problems but none have been leaks on the alternator.
-
At least I haven’t had mine burn, yet! I’m a ‘glass is half full kinda guy.
-
In that context I would have welcomed a leaky alternator compared to a fire. Oil is relatively cheap compared to the $82,000 cost to fix. Even a new alternator seems like a bargain when measured against the cost of a fire.
-
All the 50D leaking problems I have saw was caused by people losing the regulating orfice when they changed lines or the alternator they don’t care for the big voulme and high pressure all at once.
I dont believe Prevost even shows that orfice in the parts book but the Delco book does
good luck
Log in to reply.