Alternator hot!

[hoolio]

Ive just installed a rebuilt alternator & after installing it I ran the engine for a few minutes,(but no other electrical accessories operating) -the battery was a little low to begin with which may have caused load on the alt from startup & hence with load may come heat within the Alt. BUT after a drive of 15-20mins (everything working fine) & stopped & checked the Alternator again & I could have cooked bacon & eggs on it.
Whats going on, is this normal?
Is heat buildup of this amount normal in a new/rebuilt alt.?
(brushes bedding in perhaps?

input anyone?

[Akane]

Alternators get hot but not to that extent, most of the heat is generated from the electrical load, not from the mechanical friction as there should be good bearings in there with minimal fricition generated.

Maybe it's just like you said, a very flat battery needed charging.

I hope you kept your rebuild receipt.

[YeMs]

nah they definately shouldnt get that hot. maybe take it to another auto electrician and have them check it? i stripped 1 down about a month ago from over heating, the stator was shorting making it over heat. so probly best to get it checked.

[hoolio]

Ive just checked the Alternators Amp output & its putting out 30A with no accessories running...! thats damn high.
The battery is charged & is still drawing 13amps.....?
I will try another battery & see if theres any improvement in output - ie less in this case.

[hoolio]

The newish (6months) battery from "super cheap" was exactly that - super cheap.

It appears to have an internal fault - plates shorted out perhaps.
Another battery proved the system is working as it should.

Confusious say: "cheepest battery not neccessarily best buy"

[gepsk8]

yea got say dont use cheap batteries, why try save $40 just leads to hassels.

[fuel]

The newish (6months) battery from "super cheap" was exactly that - super cheap.

It appears to have an internal fault - plates shorted out perhaps.
Another battery proved the system is working as it should.

Confusious say: "cheepest battery not neccessarily best buy"

That's strange. Take it back and get a replacement. If it's a "Super Force" battery, it is infact a Century battery made here in New Zealand, just with the Super Force label slapped on it. Are you using the correct battery for your car with the number of accesories you have? No use putting a cheapie 230 CCA rated battery into a car when you have fuel injection, electric windows, air con, headunit, amp and sub etc.

*EDIT* if supercheap find you have been using the incorrect battery in your car to start with, they may turn down your warranty. But I doubt they will check. Using a lower rating battery in a car which draws alot of current will lead to premature battery failure.

[hoolio]

Yeah I took it back & got a replacement without too many hassles.
It is a Bosch Batt & has a rating of 525 CCA - should be plenty for this (ST165).
With the replacement Battery in it is only drawing 3-4A from the alternator when fully charged - unlike the last Batt - drawing 13+ amps !when fully charged.