Alternator problems

so recently I’ve had problems with my alternator.... I had a problem last year with it and replaced it. today I stayed stranded again! Is there a heavy duty alternator you guys recommend or brand?

 

Have you pulled the wire contacts and cleaned them? The main electrical ground too?

You're 1000% sure it is not the battery???

 

Contact @1UPPER

 

I went with the Mechman 240 amp alternator. It has been great! Here’s the exact alternator and 1/0 wire kit I ordered.

 

Texas Bandit are you mechanically inclined? It would be worth understanding what the wear condition of the alternator brushes are. The brushes are the part of the alternator that wear. Then.......wear out. In MOST cases all a bad alternator needs is new brushes ($15 - $20) and NOT an entire $500 alternator. You've noted that the alternator is only a year old. But if you got it used/reconditioned with brushes that were already very worn (yes, there are scumbags who will do that to you) then all you might need is a set of brushes.

 

Battery is two year old optima battery red cap. Yea they’re clean.

 

Where you order that from?

 

Bought the it brand new at Oreilly Autoparts... the mechanic shop I took my truck to right now said there’s a lot of alternators that have been coming out bad. That he had a customer with an f150 that has changed it 4 times already.

 

http://www.mechman.com/

 

Thanks

 

I've had mechman bookmarked for the time my 12 year old alternator finally kicks the bucket.

 

Gonna look into it. Thanks guys.

 

@1UPPER @Grey Wolf just saw they have color option (pretty cool) what color did you guys get yours, curious how they looks painted.

 

My OEM alternator is still good. If I were to replace it with a Mechman it would naturally be gray.

 

Nice!! @1UPPER i noticed it says about getting a shorter drive belt. What size did you have to get?

 

Really? This is my third time I’ve used optima. Last one I had last me 6-7 years if I’m correct. What battery do you have on now?

 

I think I found the problem..... well first of all what amp do our trucks come with? Cause I just went to Oreilly’s Autoparts and they told me the alternator I last bought was 100amp which is what I have on. Not sure if that might be the problem but I would think we would have 150amp ....

 

If im not mistaken oem is 170

Edit: I have a 2018, also reading around if you have two package it should be 150

 

Yup. Factory tow package comes with "heavy duty" alternator.

Also know guys that car/truck batteries made in the united States are required by law to use recycled lead. So it's important to know and take to heart >>>> YMMV.

 

Some other really good manufacturers like mechman worth checking into are
DC power
Ohio alternators
Singer
Iragi (sp?)

They are expensive, though, but they all have a really good reputation.

And i didnt know orielly's sold new alternators. Thought they where all remans.

 

yea I was actually checking out the mechman.

 

Heavy duty alternator three phase generator brand recommended is Stamford, Leroy-Somer, Siemens, Marathon, etc.

 

Are you running accessories that require the additional amperage? If not, go get the right oem replacement and be done. You don't need a sledgehammer to drive a thumbtack. Oh, and just because you have a 240 amp alternator doesn't mean your harness can handle the extra current, just saying. I have seen guys add a bunch of electronics, high amp alternator and not upgrade the harness and have bigger problems.

It used to be that AutoZone/Oreilleys/Checker/NAPA etc had good stuff if you asked for it. I too have had nothing but problems with buying anything aftermarket whether its brakes, wipers, belts, alternators...it doesn't matter where, they are either the wrong spec or they are of such shotty design (China) they fail early or like it sounds here, the person behind the counter doesn't know what they are doing and I get the wrong part.

Unfortunately, this has pushed me towards the OEM (dealers) for replacement parts. Even though its more expensive, I don't have to buy it twice and do the job twice.

 

Give you guys an update on it... we’ll didn't have to buy no new alternator or anything the mechanic told me he couldn’t figure out what had happened cause everything was good terminals batteries clean, alternator good, battery good. Which is really weird but have been driving my truck since I posted this and haven’t had any issues....

 

Thats good to hear. Hopefully it was just a one time issue.