This morning I was heading out of town with my car trailer in tow, and my "gen" light came on.

I pulled over and the alternator was very hot and even smelled hot. So I went back home.

Well this afternoon I fired it up and it is charging fine.

Any ideas?

 

Probably starting to go bad on you. Or the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is usually encased inside the alternator. Next time it happens try and put a voltmeter on it and see what voltage you get. Normal should be around 13.6 to 14.5 volts*. Anything less is bad.

* This is based on my expierience with 12 Volt systems on gas engines.

 

Well, it finally happened again.

The generator light came on. But the voltage meter showed nearly 14v. I popped the hood and the alternator was warm, but it had been running awhile. It was not as hot as before.

So I shut it off. Then restarted it. Then generator light did not come on.

***? ???

 

It is giving up the ghost!! Change it out before she leaves you stranded on a dark night, When mine goes I am going to look itno a high output, as for winch and such,goodluck Rick

 

But wouldn't the output be down if the alternator was failing?

I have been driving it around for a few days, but I hit the go pedal extra hard and the light came on. Could this be related?

 

It could,and it could not,it depends on what is wore out,ie,the regulator,or the contacts??I have had them go from no volts to boiling over the batterys!!Might I suggest to fill out your signature,it helps in answering questions,How old is truck,what model?? Goodluck Rick

 

Yup. Just the alternator. Works great now. ;D

 

[quote author=kandgo link=board=5;threadid=22635;start=0#msg217782 date=1070500641]
It is giving up the ghost!! Change it out before she leaves you stranded on a dark night, When mine goes I am going to look itno a high output, as for winch and such,goodluck Rick
[/quote]

How high an output do you need? Isn't 136 amp enough? I ran many years with a 60 amp on a big truck. Then up to a 90 amp. A winch does not draw near what the grid heaters do. If you are drawing more than 136 regularly, you need to refigure things some.