Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
noisy new alternator
|
|
fenbach |
08-20-2011 @ 2:45 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 227
Joined: Dec 2009
|
a similar topic title about a noisy generator brings to mind my noisy PowerMaster alternator http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Powergen-1939-48-Flathead-Ford-Alternators-6-Volt,42288.html at low RPM it whines. PM checked it and said nothing was wrong. anyone have any thoughts?
|
MG |
08-20-2011 @ 5:48 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1251
Joined: Nov 2009
|
Do you know someone else who has this same alternator and have you listened to theirs? Have you contacted Speedway to find out if this is a normal sound? Did PM say it was normal?
|
supereal |
08-20-2011 @ 8:28 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
The usual cause of a whining alternator is a bad diode in the trio.
|
jerry weiser |
08-21-2011 @ 2:48 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 85
Joined: Jun 2010
|
im having problems w/ my new alt too. other than whining, any other problems? heat up? discharge battery?
weezer
|
fenbach |
08-22-2011 @ 11:03 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 227
Joined: Dec 2009
|
weezer, i'm not experiencing battery discharge or the alternator heating up. i heard back from powermaster about the whine. mine does just whine under a load. here's what they said. I think if it was an electrical problem such as a bad diode you would have no output or very little output. I think the noise you're hearing is from the internal fan. The alternator draws air from the rear and out the front. There's 2 fans in this alternator to keep the components cool. I think the 2 fans running together causes this noise. Since an alternator creates more heat it requires more fresh air drawn in to keep the components cool. The alternator will also make more noise when under a load. Do you notice a difference when the electric fan is on or off? When the electric fan is running the alternator will charge more and may make more of a charging sound. Also if the alternator isn't getting a sufficient ground it will make a noise. If you need to run an extra ground off the rear of the PowerGEN please take caution not to over tighten the rear bolts. These bolts thread into the heat sink and if over torqued it can damage it. Another tip is be sure the battery is FULLY charged. If the battery is a little low the alternator will charge at full output until the battery reaches a full state of charge. The higher the alternator charges, the more charging noise you'll hear.
|