50DN Generator leaking from mounting bolt

[luvrbus]

tick,tick,tick. There are thousands out there that have the original setup haven't  failed. Cliff only sees the thousands that did.

I have seen the 50D out last 2 engines,takes awhile to set one up the right way DD goes into great detail on setting the sun gear up since the 50D spins 2.95 times faster than the engine when you use a dial indicator to install a gear and alternator that is close tolerances  ,The 50D has always been a PM item .LVMCI was the last one I know of that had a gear train failure a couple of years ago

[chessie4905]

Unfortunately, many just "slap it on". Dont have a clue about the precise centering of the adapter ring. I guess many are just lucky.

[richard5933]

Unfortunately, many just "slap it on". Dont have a clue about the precise centering of the adapter ring. I guess many are just lucky.

Adapter ring? Help out someone not well versed on the 50DN yet - is this the piece that fits between the actual generator and the engine block? As in the part with the mounting flange?

[chessie4905]

Yes the manual describes the procedure for centering the ring.

[richard5933]

Do the reman units purchased from places like Luke at US Coach come with the adapter ring already in place or do they have to be reused from the old one?

[chessie4905]

They shouldn't. The ring stays on the engine.

[richard5933]

They shouldn't. The ring stays on the engine.

I've read through the manual page on this and see what you're talking about regarding using the dial gauge.

Question...Is the drive gear that mounts to the engine changed every time the alternator is changed? Manual indicates to change it if signs of wear or damage are present, so if the alternator is changed as a routine maintenance item would it automatically need a new drive gear?

[chessie4905]

Personally, I think with your mileage, it should be fine. Just inspect the teeth for tooth depression wear. I'm going to change both gears on mine because previous owner had it removed to gain some horsepower, I guess. I purchased a take off generator from Nimco Bus several years ago and it happens to have the updated bearings and line. Didn't know anything about the update till a couple of years ago.

[richard5933]

Right now I'm leaning towards waiting until the end of next season to have the alternator swapped out as a precaution. That will be about 65,000 miles total on it. Luke has them in stock regularly, and mine doesn't look like it's going to crap out on my in the immediate future.

I spoke with a tech at Elreg today about my alternator, and he didn't think that one with only 55,000 miles would be at death's door as long as basic maintenance like oil changes have been done over the years. As far as I can tell from internals I've seen it has been.

It sounds like I might be safe going a bit longer even, but since I've had other things fail from issues caused by lack of use I'm thinking of hedging my bets about this time next year. Gives me time to get the budget together for it.

[luvrbus]

I've read through the manual page on this and see what you're talking about regarding using the dial gauge.

Question...Is the drive gear that mounts to the engine changed every time the alternator is changed? Manual indicates to change it if signs of wear or damage are present, so if the alternator is changed as a routine maintenance item would it automatically need a new drive gear?

The dial indicator and fixture is for checking the run out on the Sun gear hub so it spins true,the adapter spacer I call has a adjustment screw in the bottom to to align the alternator gear to the drive hub,and the only way you check that is gear marking like Prussian Blue if you do it right

[chessie4905]

Once set, you shouldn't need to change that setting unless cup gear or  adapter is removed or changed, although you should verify it is still correct.