Alternator got wet

[snowleopard]

I recently had a raw water pump seal go. It sprayed water all over the engine compartment. The first thing I knew about it was the charge light coming on. I thought it was a combination of a slack belt and water making it slip but now the water pump is fixed there is still no charge.

What is likely to be the cause?

 

[rob2]

I can't think of anything other than the slip ring contacts may have stuck or shorting of the outputs may have burnt out the regulaotr diode pack. Either way the most cost effective course of action is likely to be to take it to your local automotive alternator and starter motor repairer. Every region seems to have a one man band in this market sector, usually working from his garden shed, understanding his job thoroughly and offering repairs/rebuilds at very sensible pricing. Ask your local garage mechanics...

Rob.

 

[johnlilley]

Guess it depends upon whether salt water entered the internals. If so any number of problems caused by salt water, including shorting of the internal diodes (rectifier) field & rotor windings etc.
If salt water remains it will probably not be easily repairable, but could be possible to flush out with large quantity of fresh water and allow to fully dry before using again. Bearings should be sealed and hopefully unaffected, some problems like failed rectifier or regulator will not restore themselves, but not all alternators have these fitted internally, so you might be lucky, but it is still possible to damage non internals by salt water haphazard connections within.
Try washing & drying first. Of course, just make sure all casing and body connections are clean & sound including earth connections.
Regards


John Lilley

 

[Blueboatman]

You would think it is not beyond the wit of mankind to design alternators to be a bit more splashproof at the very least or fitted with a splashguard,what with being in a marine environment surrounded as they are by water/wet pipes/bilge pumps/diesel return pipes/calorifier take off pipes etc..

 

[Heckler]

As i always say, do the troubleshooting methodically, take the thing off, strip down, inspect, clean, check brushes are free first, if a vp 20XX check the fuse in the engine block thingy is ok. Check no obvious burns, shorts etc and this includes when you take it off to make sure connections havent turned green. It always amazes me when people jump in with wild arsed guesses about what has gone wrong. Take it step by step.
Stu

 

[oldsaltoz]

[ QUOTE ]
You would think it is not beyond the wit of mankind to design alternators to be a bit more splashproof at the very least or fitted with a splashguard,what with being in a marine environment surrounded as they are by water/wet pipes/bilge pumps/diesel return pipes/calorifier take off pipes etc..

[/ QUOTE ]

Some marine alternators are fitted with the same blower fans that we see on road vehicles, the air is blown forward and the resulting pressure bubble prevents rain entering the body.

Having said that I have an alternator hosed off when still running after a long hard drive on very dusty outback roads, without damage.

In this case I would check all connection to and from the alternator then if still a problem, take to an auto spark for repair.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[Blueboatman]

Thats clever,using positive air pressure as a barrier.
learn something new everyday !