I seem to remember there was an article in one of the Restorer magazines that dealt with troubleshooting problems with the early alternators. I believe it showed how to check all the diodes. I have been through all my copies and cant find the article. I am not fortunate to have acquired the NCRS CD Rom. Can one of you guys let me know what issue this was in? Thanks, Scott #2091
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Re: C2 Alternator troubleshoot article Help!
Scott-----
The procedure is well covered in the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual and/or the Chassis Overhaul Manual. It's very clear and easy to follow and quite simple to perform.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: C2 Alternator troubleshoot article Help!
Thanks Joe, dont yet have those publications, so back to my original question, wasnt there an article in the restorer?Comment
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Re: C2 Alternator troubleshoot article Help!
Checking diodes is a piece of cake. They pass DC in one direction and block it in the opposite. Many multi-meters have a diode checking setting, see the manual for your meter.
If you don't have a meter with a diode checking setting, you can use the ohmmeter. Open the alternator and desolder the lead wires from the diodes so they're in an open circuit, standalone, condition. A good diode should read low resistance (perhaps an ohm or two) in one direction and essentially infinite resistance in the opposite direction.
This is a static 'go/no-go' test. Diodes can also suffer 'partial' failure (junction puncture) where they kinda/sorta work at low voltage/low current (like the probe profile of your multimeter), but change characteristics under full load and/or temperature. To FULLY verify a diode, you really need to put in on a curve tracer that exercises the diode's entire dynamic operating range.
Few have this level of electronic test equipment at their disposal... But, it's not very often you have a partially impaired diode as they tend to either work or fail altogether. Still, if the diodes test OK with the static bench method and you still suspect a problem, then take the alternator to an auto electric shop where they have the equipment to exercise it and monitor the alternator's current output waveform to really nail down its health profile....Comment
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Re: C2 Alternator troubleshoot article Help!
Scott-----
I don't recall if there was, or not.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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