Question, feedback appreciated!
I own a Ducato converted into a motorhome, I have had two alternators blown in two years, any idea why that could happen? I dont use it that often but surely they shouldnt breakdown so easily?

You're probably regularly flattening the batteries and putting too much strain on the alternator have to you any kind of charge controller setup?

No dont think so, how would that help? Would the batteries really just die if I only used the van say once a month?

A friend of mine had a similar problem; he fitted two recon alternators both blew within a year.
After advice from fiat he fitted a new alternator problem solved, it wasn’t cheap I think about £350 as opposed to £150 for the recons or as he calls them real cons.
Good luck

Hi i put a new 110amp alternator on my 1996 2.5 ducato cost £85 i run a split relay charger that charges two leisure batteries never had a problem,you ight have an earth problem.hope this helps you.

jojo13 said:

Hi i put a new 110amp alternator on my 1996 2.5 ducato cost £85 i run a split relay charger that charges two leisure batteries never had a problem,you ight have an earth problem.hope this helps you.

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Hello I am new here . Have a 2004 Avondale MH on a Ducato 2.8JTD and wonder if you can tell me what the capacity of the fitted alternator is please. I am fitting an air con in the cabin with an inverter and need to calculate charging rates. I have also installed 210 W solar chargers on the roof to help out a bit and have a 1k sinewave inverter installed.

I have a new Fiam 100Ah cabin battery fitted that and thinking of doubling that up when the air con is fitted, but not sure if existing alt is adequate to supply all the batteries.

Francis

what year, model & engine?

T14086 said:

what year, model & engine?

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Have a 2004 Avondale MH on a Ducato 2.8JTD if you were replying to my query.. thanks.

Hi you can get a new 200amp split relay charger on abay for £30 that will charge two auxilary batteries without affecting your main one item number is 190396079080.hope this helps.

I wouldn't install a non intelligent charge controller if I was doing one from scratch. You can buy the cheapest 15A - 30A one and use that to drive a larger relay.

shrimper said:

No dont think so, how would that help? Would the batteries really just die if I only used the van say once a month?

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The alternator is specced to maintain charge in the battery and run the lights fan etc. The standard jtd panel van alternator is a measly 90A. A 50% charged battery 100Ah battery could take well over 100A if the cables were large enough.

Now imagine two of them in parallel. Your alternator will be maxed out for at least an hour, they're not designed for that kind of duty cycle and you'll kill the diodes, regulator, open windings. This is especially true when the alternator is supplying these high loads at idle or in traffic (low rpm means low coooling fan speed and a hot alternator)

corkman said:

The alternator is specced to maintain charge in the battery and run the lights fan etc. The standard jtd panel van alternator is a measly 90A. A 50% charged battery 100Ah battery could take well over 100A if the cables were large enough.

Now imagine two of them in parallel. Your alternator will be maxed out for at least an hour, they're not designed for that kind of duty cycle and you'll kill the diodes, regulator, open windings. This is especially true when the alternator is supplying these high loads at idle or in traffic (low rpm means low coooling fan speed and a hot alternator)

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Thanks for this info. Does the fact that I now have a 210W solar capability on the roof make much difference to your analysis. Obviously I do not want to overwork the alternator. Further comments appreciated.
Francis

symbolrate said:

...I now have a 210W solar capability on the roof ...

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Solar is GOOD, so long as you get plenty of sunlight

My speculation since we don't have enough information: usage once a month without solar means that the house batteries were probably low, and maybe you didn't charge them fully because you only travelled for a few hours or less, and maybe you heavily discharged them using some items that draw a lot of current, and maybe the house batteries are close to the front of the van so the alternator current can be very high.

IF all that is true then you probably have cooked the alternator as mentioned by others.

Now with solar, AND sunlight, the house batteries should be charged during the layover periods (the van is well exposed to the sun during layovers??).
It may take a couple of weeks or more to do so, since the solar is not much compared with the battery capacity. This should reduce the load on the alternator. But IF you heavily discharge your house batteries when you use the van, the reduction may not be enough.

I think it would be good to monitor your house batteries' current during use and the resting voltage (after ~12 hours of non-use). Get a feeling for the loads you are imposing on the batteries and the charging currents. This may cause you to change your habits and save a lot of money!

Good luck