Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
(150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at low
power settings? Any information is appreciated.

Thank you

Gus 89PT40 8V92T
Houston, Texas

Gus, I don't know if the conversion is necessary(but it can't hurt)
or not but I would probably do both alternators at the same time. If
you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gus Rodriguez"
wrote:
>
> Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at
low
> power settings? Any information is appreciated.
>
> Thank you
>
> Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> Houston, Texas
>

Gus, I don't know if the conversion is necessary(but
it can't hurt)
or not but I would probably do both alternators at the same time. If
you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Gus Rodriguez"
> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at
low
> power settings? Any information is appreciated.
>
> Thank you
>
> Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> Houston, Texas
>

---

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

Gus,

I agree with McMahan. According to my rebuild guy here in San Antonio,
you need to change them both at the same time, *especially* if you are
upgrading output. My rebuild guy also told me that the only
difference between the 145(150?)/160 Delco alternators was the
diameter of the front pulley. So if you go the rebuild route you
should be able to get new pulleys to upgrade to the 160 with the
existing cores. Last time I freshened mine up though, Ogburn's Truck
Parts had new ones on sale for a lower price than I paid to rebuild!
They didn't have the pulleys on them as I recall, so you had to swap
yours. The one under the rear bumper is no big deal to change. The
one under the bed can be a real challenge, Make sure you add all new
belts and seal the floor panel under the bed with new butyl or sealing
tape to prevent fumes from seeping into the bus.

After you fix it, come join us at the Lone Star Birds Rally in April.

Have fun.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike McMahan" <mmcmahan@...>
wrote:
>
> Gus, I don't know if the conversion is necessary(but it can't hurt)
> or not but I would probably do both alternators at the same time. If
> you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
> repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
> Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gus Rodriguez"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> > alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> > (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at
> low
> > power settings? Any information is appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> > Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> > Houston, Texas
> >
>

Mike, thank you both for the information. I too am having charging problems. I recently purchased this bird and am new to all of this. I will be asking many
questions in the near future because I have several issues that I would like to address along with a general steep learning curve about Bluebirds. I didn’t think about rebuilding both. I just knew that the one on top of the engine was not working. The other one is putting out 13.2v at idle. The one on the top is a Leece Niville by Prestolite part no. 110-573 stamped 150Amps. I don’t know what the one in the rear is but it appears smaller. Should they both be the same? Also my dc voltage output meter in the dash shows no output at all. The needle is well below zero and does not move. What does the one in the rear power? (engine only?) and is it metered anywhere?

Thank you again for your help.

Gus

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
mbulriss
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 11:43 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: alternator for 89PT40

Gus,

I agree with McMahan. According to my rebuild guy here in San Antonio,
you need to change them both at the same time, *especially* if you are
upgrading output. My rebuild guy also told me that the only
difference between the 145(150?)/160 Delco alternators was the
diameter of the front pulley. So if you go the rebuild route you
should be able to get new pulleys to
upgrade to the 160 with the
existing cores. Last time I freshened mine up though, Ogburn's Truck
Parts had new ones on sale for a lower price than I paid to rebuild!
They didn't have the pulleys on them as I recall, so you had to swap
yours. The one under the rear bumper is no big deal to change. The
one under the bed can be a real challenge, Make sure you add all new
belts and seal the floor panel under the bed with new butyl or sealing
tape to prevent fumes from seeping into the bus.

After you fix it, come join us at the Lone Star Birds Rally in April.

Have fun.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

-- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Mike McMahan" <mmcmahan@..<WBR>.>
wrote:
>
> Gus, I don't know if the conversion is necessary(but it can't hurt)
> or not but I would probably do both alternators at the
same time. If
> you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
> repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
> Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Gus Rodriguez"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> > alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> > (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at
> low
> > power settings? Any information is appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> > Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> > Houston, Texas
> >
>

---

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

Gus, yours may not be like mine.
Mine has two 160 amp alternators. On my dash panel is a switch that is three way. Both, Alt 1 which is the one on top of the engine, and Alt 2. I typically keep the switch on both as there is a warning light next to it that is labeled fault, a red light. I have read on prior posts that this fault light had an issue of coming on from time to time for no reason. BB added a component???? to solve the problem. As I recall, my recollection is not perfect these days, the alternators fight each other to cause this problem. Seems like it was something to do with the regulators. My associated amp gauge will climb to 100 amps for a short period after starting and settle at 50amps. Alt 1 and Alt2 positions usually give me a reading of 25 amps. The main bus drawing calls for two 160 amp alternators. When I replaced mine, I had one 160 amp and one 135 amp alternator. I do not have sub drawings of how the amp gauge connects to the switch and
alternators to get the readings. The new alternators solved my problems.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

Gus Rodriguez wrote:

Mike, thank you both for the information. I too am having charging problems. I recently purchased this bird and am new to all of this. I will be asking many questions in
the near future because I have several issues that I would like to address along with a general steep learning curve about Bluebirds. I didn’t think about rebuilding both. I just knew that the one on top of the engine was not working. The other one is putting out 13.2v at idle. The one on the top is a Leece Niville by Prestolite part no. 110-573 stamped 150Amps. I don’t know what the one in the rear is but it appears smaller. Should they both be the same? Also my dc voltage output meter in the dash shows no output at all. The needle is well below zero and does not move. What does the one in the rear power? (engine only?) and is it metered anywhere?

Thank you again for your help.

Gus

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of mbulriss
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 11:43 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: alternator for 89PT40

Gus,

I agree with McMahan. According to my rebuild guy here in San Antonio,
you need to change them both at the same time, *especially* if you are
upgrading output. My rebuild guy also told me that the only
difference between the 145(150?)/160 Delco alternators was the
diameter of the front
pulley. So if you go the rebuild route you
should be able to get new pulleys to upgrade to the 160 with the
existing cores. Last time I freshened mine up though, Ogburn's Truck
Parts had new ones on sale for a lower price than I paid to rebuild!
They didn't have the pulleys on them as I recall, so you had to swap
yours. The one under the rear bumper is no big deal to change. The
one under the bed can be a real challenge, Make sure you add all new
belts and seal the floor panel under the bed with new butyl or sealing
tape to prevent fumes from seeping into the bus.

After you fix it, come join us at the Lone Star Birds Rally in April.

Have fun.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

-- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Mike McMahan" <mmcmahan@..<wbr>.>
wrote:
>
> Gus, I don't know if the
conversion is necessary(but it can't hurt)
> or not but I would probably do both alternators at the same time. If
> you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
> repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
> Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Gus Rodriguez"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> > alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> > (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at
> low
> > power settings? Any information is appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> > Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> > Houston, Texas
> >
>

---

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

I forgot to state that I unplugged my fault light long ago.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Daholnega, GA
Royale Conversion

Leroy Eckert wrote:

Gus, yours may not be like mine.
Mine has two 160 amp alternators. On my dash panel is a switch that is three way. Both, Alt 1 which is the one on top of the engine, and Alt 2. I typically keep the switch on both as there is a warning light next to it that is labeled fault, a red light. I have read on prior posts that this fault light had an issue of coming on
from time to time for no reason. BB added a component???? to solve the problem. As I recall, my recollection is not perfect these days, the alternators fight each other to cause this problem. Seems like it was something to do with the regulators. My associated amp gauge will climb to 100 amps for a short period after starting and settle at 50amps. Alt 1 and Alt2 positions usually give me a reading of 25 amps. The main bus drawing calls for two 160 amp alternators. When I replaced mine, I had one 160 amp and one 135 amp alternator. I do not have sub drawings of how the amp gauge connects to the switch and alternators to get the readings. The new alternators solved my problems.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

Gus Rodriguez net> wrote:

Mike, thank you both for the information. I too am having charging problems. I recently purchased this bird and am new to all of this. I will be asking many questions in the near future because I have several issues that I would like to address along with a general steep learning curve about Bluebirds. I didn’t think about rebuilding both. I just knew that the one on top of the engine was not working. The other one is putting out 13.2v at idle. The one on the top is a Leece Niville by Prestolite part no. 110-573 stamped 150Amps. I don’t know what the one in the rear is but it appears smaller. Should they both be the same? Also my dc voltage output meter in the dash shows no output at all. The needle is well below zero and does not
move. What does the one in the rear power? (engine only?) and is it metered anywhere?

Thank you again for your help.

Gus

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mbulriss
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 11:43 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: alternator for 89PT40

Gus,

I agree with McMahan. According to my rebuild guy here in San Antonio,
you need to change them both at the same time, *especially* if you are
upgrading output. My rebuild guy also told me that the only
difference between the 145(150?)/160 Delco alternators was the
diameter of the front pulley. So if you go the rebuild route you
should be able to get new pulleys to upgrade to the 160 with the
existing cores. Last time I freshened mine up though, Ogburn's Truck
Parts had new ones on sale for a lower price than I paid to rebuild!
They didn't have the pulleys on them as I recall, so you had to swap
yours. The one under the rear bumper is no big deal to change. The
one under the bed can be a real challenge, Make sure you add all new
belts and seal the floor panel under the bed with new butyl or sealing
tape to prevent fumes from seeping into the bus.

After you fix
it, come join us at the Lone Star Birds Rally in April.

Have fun.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

-- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Mike McMahan" <mmcmahan@..<wbr>.>
wrote:
>
> Gus, I don't know if the conversion is necessary(but it can't hurt)
> or not but I would probably do both alternators at the same time. If
> you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
> repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
> Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Gus Rodriguez"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> > alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should
I replace it with the same
> > (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well at
> low
> > power settings? Any information is appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> > Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> > Houston, Texas
> >
>

---

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

---

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. [url=http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51733/*http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR...o8Wcj9tAcJ ] Try it now.[/url]

Gus,

+1 on what Leroy said. They should be the same. I usually just leave
the dash alt switch in the center position showing combined output/draw.

Also, when you go to work on the alts, remember to disconnect your
batteries and/or the main alternator leads to the "buss bar"
connections on the wall in front of the main engine battery tray.
Saves a lot of arcing and sparking (subsequently followed by immediate
head banging) while you are disconnecting the alt leads. Good time to
clean all the battery leads also.

While you have everything disconnected, power wise, you should also
make time to find every ground strap that you can see, disconnect and
wire brush the ends and the frame mounting points. As someone used to
say "on a BB it's always the ground".... might be overstatement, but
bad grounds really can cause havoc on these beasts and drive you crazy
chasing electrical ghosts.

FWIW,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert
wrote:
>
> Gus, yours may not be like mine.
> Mine has two 160 amp alternators. On my dash panel is a switch that
is three way. Both, Alt 1 which is the one on top of the engine, and
Alt 2. I typically keep the switch on both as there is a warning light
next to it that is labeled fault, a red light. I have read on prior
posts that this fault light had an issue of coming on from time to
time for no reason. BB added a component???? to solve the problem. As
I recall, my recollection is not perfect these days, the alternators
fight each other to cause this problem. Seems like it was something to
do with the regulators. My associated amp gauge will climb to 100 amps
for a short period after starting and settle at 50amps. Alt 1 and Alt2
positions usually give me a reading of 25 amps. The main bus drawing
calls for two 160 amp alternators. When I replaced mine, I had one 160
amp and one 135 amp alternator. I do not have sub drawings of how the
amp gauge connects to the switch and alternators to get the readings.
The new
> alternators solved my problems.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> Gus Rodriguez wrote:
> Mike, thank you both for the information. I too am having
charging problems. I recently purchased this bird and am new to all
of this. I will be asking many questions in the near future because I
have several issues that I would like to address along with a general
steep learning curve about Bluebirds. I didn't think about rebuilding
both. I just knew that the one on top of the engine was not working.
The other one is putting out 13.2v at idle. The one on the top is a
Leece Niville by Prestolite part no. 110-573 stamped 150Amps. I don't
know what the one in the rear is but it appears smaller. Should they
both be the same? Also my dc voltage output meter in the dash shows
no output at all. The needle is well below zero and does not move.
What does the one in the rear power? (engine only?) and is it metered
anywhere?
> Thank you again for your help.
>
> Gus
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mbulriss
> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 11:43 AM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: alternator for 89PT40
>
>
> Gus,
>
> I agree with McMahan. According to my rebuild guy here in San Antonio,
> you need to change them both at the same time, *especially* if you are
> upgrading output. My rebuild guy also told me that the only
> difference between the 145(150?)/160 Delco alternators was the
> diameter of the front pulley. So if you go the rebuild route you
> should be able to get new pulleys to upgrade to the 160 with the
> existing cores. Last time I freshened mine up though, Ogburn's Truck
> Parts had new ones on sale for a lower price than I paid to rebuild!
> They didn't have the pulleys on them as I recall, so you had to swap
> yours. The one under the rear bumper is no big deal to change. The
> one under the bed can be a real challenge, Make sure you add all new
> belts and seal the floor panel under the bed with new butyl or sealing
> tape to prevent fumes from seeping into the bus.
>
> After you fix it, come join us at the Lone Star Birds Rally in April.
>
> Have fun.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>
> -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike McMahan" <mmcmahan@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Gus, I don't know if the conversion is necessary(but it can't hurt)
> > or not but I would probably do both alternators at the same time. If
> > you do the change I would thinkl you had to change both and if you
> > repair one I would go ahead and do both at the same time. Mike
> > Mcmahan 96 42" Wanderlodge
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gus Rodriguez"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> > > alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> > > (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work
well at
> > low
> > > power settings? Any information is appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thank you
> > >
> > > Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> > > Houston, Texas
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
>

Alternators should not go out as often as they do on Wanderlodge
busses. In search of the root cause of this common posted failure,
forum member JoeW brought up the theory that a big bank of low
charged batteries may tax the alts, heat the alts up and cause early
demise?????

JayDarst runs the alts to power realtime inverter run 110v ac while
driving which should disprove the heat theory but Jay installed non
oem spec alts. His upgrade may be the ticket

I always wondered if 'shore charging' caused any heat or effect to
the alts. or are they diode protected??

I would like to learn the reason why alts go so quick prior to
paying the tuition of alt replacement. JoeW turned me onto a site
that has great tech documentation on batteries and charging.
Understanding the complex system of voltage production and
maintenance in the bus may not be necessary to ownership but should
help avoid costly mistakes and prove clues to upcomming need.

below is the link

http://www.amplepower.com/technical_docu...index.html

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gus Rodriguez"
wrote:
>
> Hello everyone. Can I get some advice on the replacement of an
> alternator for an 89PT40 8V92T. Should I replace it with the same
> (150amp) or go with 160amp high output that is said to work well
at low
> power settings? Any information is appreciated.
>
> Thank you
>
> Gus 89PT40 8V92T
> Houston, Texas
>