Generator not charging.... and only 100A anyway

[mumeo]

Hi all! 

Great news!   (by which i mean, gods below what have a i gotten myself into... :0 )   

I bought the 58 crown articulate.   

I drove it from Utah to California, blew up the heating line, almost overheated her, fixed that, then found that the generator wasn't charging the batteries...  got some cables, and charged the batteries enough to get her home. 

phew~     

but now...   the regulator box says that the system is 14V 100A.    I want to turn the bus into an RV, and am thinking of putting in a more substantial battery bank...     

since it would appear that i need a new generator (truth told, not even sure of that...   any way to test that?)   should i get a bigger one while i'm at it?   

my needs are quite simple in terms of electricity...  no tv or anything crazy like that...  but i do use a computer, and music recording equipment and lights.   ( thinking of a simple solar system on top as well potentially.  )

if i put a bigger generator in will i need a new regulator box as well?      would it be appropriate to put in an alternator?   or would that complicate things?   

thanks! 

[gumpy]

Umm, ok, some clarification is needed here....

By generator, are you talking about a belt driven unit on the engine, like say an alternator?  If so, that's probably what you have; an alternator, but with an external regulator,
which is not uncommon for large alternators typical on bus engines. 

Or by generator, do you mean a separate fuel driven (gas, diesel, etc) engine with a generator head attached that is wired into your house electrical system? I don't think
I've ever heard of a generator with an separate regulator as you speak of, and a generator would typically put out AC at 120V or 240V, not 14V.

I suspect you mean an engine driven alternator with an external regulator.

How much you need will depend on your requirements and battery bank size. So, again, more information will be needed. 100A will be sufficient if you are planning on a small to mid-sized bank, and plan on driving for extended periods of time. You also need to look at the various methods you might charge your batteries. You mentioned solar. What about generator, shore power, wind turbine, etc...

[robertglines1]

Prob best to change to belt driven Alternator with internal regulator . Like on most chev. Cheap salvage yard or rebuilder supply with much higher capacity available. Your local rebuilder will be a wealth of knowledge.  Is it Negative ground?

[Utahclaimjumper]

He has a Cummins pancake engine.>>>Dan

[happycamperbrat]

You bought the articulated crown?! Good for you! Please post pics when you can   And be sure to add your birthday to the list!

[Jaime]

When my alternater died I purchased this unit http://www.spidermarine.com/showitem.aspx?&id=104834&name=100%25%20NEW%20Delco%20%2024%20Volt%2070%20Amp%20Alternator I have been happy with it. It is a one wire set up with internal regulator. It seems to due a good job of keeping the house and start batteries charged while on the road. If I am running off of batteries for extended periods of time I charge the batteries off my Generator that charges them trough my Inverter. I think that the 12V model is 150 amp, 24V is 70 amp.

[TomC]

Delco makes an excellent (but pricey) 275amp 12vdc air cooled belt driven alternator that will most likely bolt to the same mounts as you have now.  Or you can run two alternators-one for starting and the other for house batteries.  Alternators are very reliable-but stay with what is used on big rig trucks and you'll be surprised at how cheap they are-like less than $200.00 for a 160amp.  Good Luck, TomC

[Sean]

Wow, I just passed your bus.  At least, I assume it's you -- parked on Chrysler or thereabouts, next to Goodwin Proctor?  I'm parked just a couple miles from you in Redwood City.

Drop me a note if you want me to come have a look at anything.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[gus]

I installed probably the same as Jamie on my 4104. It is a rebuilt Leece-Nevill 105 amp one wire, belt driven, truck-type which cost about $150 about three years ago. Hasn't missed a lick since.

My 4104 has a very basic electrical system so the 105 amp is fine but anything more complex surely needs a larger one.