50dn low bolts

[6805eagleguy]

50dn on my s60 is running at 12.3 volts and barely keeping up when running hwh jacks. Thinking replace regulator first, but is this correct thinking?

[richard5933]

Wouldn't first thing be to inspect all connections and make sure they are clean and tight? Especially the ground connections? Next I'd inspect the cables to make sure there wasn't some hidden rot.

Doesn't take much to make a voltage drop on a bad connection.

[luvrbus]

Check the diode pack before replacing the regulator,a bad ground the 50D will charge full blast like 17 volts 

[6805eagleguy]

Good grief . Must of been half asleep when I made the thread. Oh well.

Richard, I did a quick check of all connections but not totally thorough, as we are camping and not In a great spot to crawl around in there.

Clifford, this may sound ignorant but, I don't recall a diode pack. I'll have to check my wiring diagrams when I get home.

The weird thing is upon first start up it appears to make 14v, then drops after a few minutes

[luvrbus]

The diode pack is on the rear of the alternator,those convert the AC current to DC current 

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Better known as a rectification  bridge..>>>Dan

[chessie4905]

they are behind the half round cover.

[6805eagleguy]

Ok thanks guys I will check that first. What am I looking for?

[Friday1]

On our 4106, the voltage started to fluxuate from 14.9 to 13.2 real fast. I did all of the normal easy stuff checking grounds, making sure I had bright metal at every connection, changed the regulator, load checked my eight 6 volt batteries and the two big starting batteries. I ran new ground wires and new main power wire, but the voltage still was searching. So off came the cover from the end of the alternator. Note there is a pipe plug on the bottom under the cover. Here you can make a choice to remove the plug and you lose a pint of 40 weight on top of your tranny, or take the 6 screws out of the cover and dump the oil onto a pile of rags. So there is a value you look for with each diode and the GM manual details it nicely how to check with a DVOM. I found a diode that did not have the correct value and put one with the correct numbers out of my spare I carry on board. That cured the erratic voltage . I have a digital voltmeter that reads in hundredths of a volt I leave it on 24/7 and it is easy to see when driving. Luke has the new or rebuilt diodes at US Coach. I would use my celphone camera and take a pic of the inside of the end of the alternator before taking it apart to test the individual diodes. There is a lot of wires, connections and you want to be careful to get it all back correctly. 

[6805eagleguy]

Got around to taking apart my alternator. Diodes all test open. Field tests 1.3 ohms. Book says anything below 3 is a short. I believe I will order a new field.

[rusty]

Haven't  heard from you for awhile. How are things in the great state of nebraska.
Wayne

[luvrbus]

Mason people cannot say you don't do a follow up lol 4 years but you replied

[6805eagleguy]

Haven't  heard from you for awhile. How are things in the great state of nebraska.
Wayne

Doing good Wayne, bus is on the back burner but chipping away as time allows .

Mason people cannot say you don't do a follow up lol 4 years but you replied

Doing my best

[6805eagleguy]

I got a "new" field, but it also tests at 1.3 ohms. So either both fields are bad, or they are both good. Fantastic!


I did put the new field in and swap one diode. Still absolutely no charging.

Any assistance greatly appreciated. I am considering ordering another field and all new diodes.

[luvrbus]

Check your charging relay ,it is a 6 volt relay  to the  field on a 12v 50D, a 12v relay will screw with the field and diodes