Need Alternator Near Harrisburg, PA

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 06:02:12 AM

We're out with bus and a few friends and family to play Bluegrass gospel music this weekend in central PA. Apparently our alternator is bad. We've made it to a heavy truck repair shop near our destination. The owner is an old friend. I'm waiting for his mechanic to arrive and check charging system.

We'll probably send our passengers home in a rental car after our last performance Sunday. DW and I will then have no time pressure. Problem is that this shop has no experience with 24v, oil cooled alternators. It would help if I can find a source or a rebuilder. We're about 45 minutes NW of Harrisburg. I can borrow a car and travel any reasonable distance. Any suggestions?

pabusnut · October 04, 2014, 07:01:50 AM

Jim,

Byron Hassinger, of Hassinger Diesel in Middleburg, PA is a 2 stroke expert. If he would probably know where to get it fixed, and might even have a good one laying around. His number is (570) 837-3412

Are you in Lewistown?

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 07:08:03 AM

Hey Steve,

Thanks for replying. We're near McCalisterville.

Our engine is a 40 series DD. Alternator is belt drive. I'll check with your connection for leads. My friend's mechanics are good, but this is out of their experience.

Do you know if that shop is open on Saturday?

John316 · October 04, 2014, 07:26:10 AM

Jim,

Do you have the huge old 24V alternator that weighs like 75lbs? I forgot what it is called, but we always carry a spare. Most shops don't stock them.

I would start calling all of the bus charter's in the area. They will often have one on the shelf. It might set you back $500. The other option is to call them, and ask where they suggest getting it rebuilt. They will often tell you where they take theirs, or have an idea for you.

Best of luck,

John

Runcutter · October 04, 2014, 07:30:07 AM

Jim, you're not that far from the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey. A lot of the volunteers are in the bus industry, a moderate number are local to Harrisburg (the President works at the Harrisburg transit system, another Board Member is a PennDOT official. Someone there may have suggestions.

I don't know if you'll get an answer, or have to leave a message, but the phone number is (717) 566-7100 ext. 119 http://www.busmuseum.org/Bus_Museum/Contact_Us.html

Arthur

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 08:01:13 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. We're charging batteries now to get her into the shop.

I suspect that we have a Delco 50 DN belt drive version.

eagle19952 · October 04, 2014, 08:04:57 AM

I suspect that we have a Delco 50 DN belt drive version.

Which if you are not running Coach AC or other large electrical loads, can be replaced with any large air cooled alternator....permanently or temporarily.

bevans6 · October 04, 2014, 08:11:08 AM

If it is the 50DN it may be as simple as a regulator issue, external regulator. There are a number of tests that can be done to see what is wrong. Step one is probably to take the belt off and evaluated the bearings. Realistically, if it spins free it's probably external to the alternator itself, or possibly a diode (which can be changed easily once you get one).

Brian

pabusnut · October 04, 2014, 08:12:16 AM

Jim,

I just looked on the map---Byron is only 22 miles away from McAllisterville.

Steve

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 08:15:21 AM

Thanks, Donald. I did not know that.

Apparently alternator is putting out something. With engine running, we read 15.7v at one battery but only 12.3 at the other. This bus has a Vanner. Could that be an issue? I thought the headlights seemed weak the night before we had trouble.

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 08:16:35 AM

The alternator is whining and leaking oil.

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 08:29:36 AM

Alternator is putting out 28.4v in spite of leak and whine. Any other thoughts on why batteries are going down?

Lostranger · October 04, 2014, 08:35:37 AM

Donald - or anyone - can you recommend a replacement air cooled alternator that would not be a lot of trouble to adapt to the serpentine drive? I'm going to replace alternator regardless.

pabusnut · October 04, 2014, 08:41:45 AM

Jim,

I am not an electrical expert, but I'm thinking that if your batteries are in series, I would have the one that is reading 12.3 checked out. It could have a bad cell pulling down the whole system. Also check the main ground to the frame. I pull mine about 1x per year and clean it and put that corrosion prevention "stuff" on.

Steve

eagle19952 · October 04, 2014, 09:10:17 AM

this would be the time to clean the terminals, individually load test the batteries, re-install, bypass the vanner and re-assess....

a new alternator would be one with the same footprint. voltage and shaft size. beyond that i have no idea.