| Cheating Fair and Square- Sorta Long [message #99189] |
Thu, 09 September 2010 21:46  |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma:
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Nothing puts me off my feed more than being surprised by a GMC failure and having it be something I knew I should be taking care of... one of those back of your mind problems.
I wish I could blame it on Randy Van Winkle, as last year, before Pueblo we were visiting in MO when I notice my near new alternator was charging 16 volts. Randy had a spare off of "Bondo-Babe" and he said, "Take it." It worked great.
The one overcharging was almost new, so I meant to take it back. I didn't. I mean it has only been a year. Randy's used alternator was fine.
We started from Madera, CA, after choir practice, and going over Tapachahi (sic) I noticed the lights were having sudden bright moments. I noticed that the voltage was pretty close to 10 with a flicker at the bright moments. About this time Ruth asked about the lights. I said we were having a little trouble with the alternator. She asked what she always asks, "Do we have one of those?" She groaned when I said no. I assured her that all was well.
About two minutes later the engine began to miss, so I hit the boost button, the lights perked up and I assured Ruth all was well. We stopped about 1/2 hour later, for the night. I ran the generator for a while with the boost on to charge things up a bit.
I slept fitfully as I thought about whether Barstow would have the alternator. I woke up, and shook hands with all the wires. Sure enough, the main post was sort of wiggly. I started it and could get it to charge if I held it just right.
Pulled the alternator apart, and there is a little bar that bridges to that post and it was pretty sad. The post end was burned through. The post nut was fried.
So, I cheated, fair and square. I put a lug on some #10 wire, wrapped it with tape and poked it through a convenient hole next to the bridge. I mashed it down, put 'er together and we are in Holbrook, AZ.
Did I stop today and get a new alternator. No, we are on our way to Randy and Margie's. Maybe he will feel bad and loan me a better one. *smile* Or maybe he will locate one for me at a parts store that has an alternator for a '73, '74?
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
