Removing the 50DN alternator

[txjeff]

I started to see oil leaking on my 892 after the last trip. After I played twister trying to get myself into the engine area to locate the leak I found the alternator mounting plate bolts had backed off. My 14 yr old son (who had some choice words for me) and I wrestled the alternator loose and the gear drive attachment. I have been reading that I can not just re tighten the bolts and every thigh will work fine.
I plan on installing a 100 amp belt drive alternator since the only draw is the starter and lights. If I remove the gear driven 50DN alternator from my 892 do I just need to cap the 3 oil lines and fab a plate to mount to bolt to the spacer plate?

Jeff

[luvrbus]

If it has the spacer adapter plate with the Allen screws, covers are easy to find I can send you one for some Blue Bell,does it have the planetary hub drive or just the flat drive like the compressor uses ?

[txjeff]

It has the planetary drive another 50 lb to wrestle with....haha. As far as all the oil lines do I just plug them?

[luvrbus]

Yea plug those on the block you don't want lines dangling around

[Scott & Heather]

Cliff, this seems to be a growing issue. What are your thoughts on switching from an oil cooled to a belt driven air cooled 50DN?


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[eagle19952]

Cliff, this seems to be a growing issue. What are your thoughts on switching from an oil cooled to a belt driven air cooled 50DN?


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Unless you are running OTR AC blowers 300amps is way overkill, imo etc.

[TomC]

There is no such thing as an air cooled 50DN. They are either direct drive (on 2 stroke Detroits) or belt driven-but still oil cooled.
I know at Freightliner, we sell 160amp alternators for a buck an amp. You would be smart to convert to a belt driven since they are available at truck dealers everywhere. The 50DN is a bugger to deal with at a cool 100lbs. Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

The best alternator to get since it is in the back, would be a brushless. Lots of dirt in the back-one of the main reasons the 50DN is sealed and oil cooled. Good Luck, TomC

[LuckyChow]

Many transit locations have switched their 50DN's to the EMP 450, which is air cooled.  Of course this is double overkill for a motorhome in terms of amperage.  However, it is air cooled.  I think Delco has a replacement called T1, but I don't know much about it. 

[luvrbus]

There is no such thing as an air cooled 50DN. They are either direct drive (on 2 stroke Detroits) or belt driven-but still oil cooled.
I know at Freightliner, we sell 160amp alternators for a buck an amp. You would be smart to convert to a belt driven since they are available at truck dealers everywhere. The 50DN is a bugger to deal with at a cool 100lbs. Good Luck, TomC

Not so TomC Eagle used the belt drive air cooled 50D for over 25 years I am installing belts on right now and changing the air filter on the intake for the alternator 

[TomC]

OK-I stand corrected. I know we had some of our military 3 axle tractors come in. We called them Westliners. Since they had Western Star cabs, but Freightliner hoods to be called Freightliners, as the Government contract called out for. They had non smogged Series 60's. But the best, was a 24v (28.2v when running) 450amp alternator with it's own air cleaner. That works out to be 12,690 watts-could run a house on that! Our cost on the alternator was $5,500! The truck also had a 4 headlight system with LED headlights at $375.00 ea. Nice to know where our tax money goes!! Good Luck, TomC

[txjeff]

Im going with something off the shelf, too bad I cant make a 12v alternator work. I have several here to chose from.

[Lee Bradley]

According to Delco the 50DN is brushless, oil cooled.

Possibly this  PennTex Industries, Inc. has developed an air-cooled replacement for the 50DN oil-cooled alternator; a technology that dates back to the 1960's. While it uses similar components as the 50DN, the PX-833 produces 60 additional amps for a 330 amp rating. The efficiency of the PX-833 is the result of an optimized fan and special cooling slots in unique front and rear housings. The rectifier was designed to withstand the high internal temperatures of an air-cooled alternator operating in a hot engine compartment with little or no air movement.

[txjeff]

Luvrbus I sent you a PM

[buswarrior]

Check out an MCI J model, there is a duct for fresh air to the alternators in the curb side engine door.

My MC8 has an air cooled stock alternator, as does my '75 parts bus.

Fitted with an air filter.

happy coaching!
buswarrior