Running one 12v alternator on a stock 24v system

[cliffyp]

Before I go any farther let me say, I am not advocating or encouraging this, it is not the proper way to run and may fail at any point. I just want to share my experience for informational purposes.

The back story: shortly after getting my '28 gen 1 light came on. I rebuilt it and was back in action. About a year later gen 1 light came on again and stayed on after rebuilding. Had alternator tested and it was not working. Life getting in the way, I never made time to do any more trouble shooting. I moved passenger side alt to drivers side and put a 12v solar maintainer on the rear battery.

It has now been over two months like this. I drive the truck daily, typically with 4 or 5 starts throughout the day including 1 each night when I leave work (about 2am). I periodically put a volt meter on the rear battery and it is always at 12.5v. Having done the GP bypass, it is my understanding that there is no draw on the rear battery except by the starter (I have a gear reduction). The solar panel seems to be able to keep up with this even though it is not a charger, only a maintainer. I have near instant starts when I crank just as when both alts are functioning.

I'm in South Texas and have more sun than anybody wants. This setup may be totally unfeasible in a different climate and may not work for me in winter (alt will be working long before that). It is nice to know that it has worked so well this long, and I will keep the solar panel handy as a back up even after I get my down alternator up and running. Your mileage may vary!

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

McGuyver would be proud!


The rest of us think you're nuts!

 

[ReubenJames]

Thanks for the great info...Nice to know these things if you ever find yourself in a pinch.

 

[stationjj]

Yes, thanks for the info. I have 5 watt panel I carry with me when I go camping in the country. Not something I would want to depend on, but if caught in a bind.

stationjj

 

[Skinny]

Nothing a jump pack wouldn't fix in a pinch should the sun disappear for weeks on end.

 

[evldoer]

I did the same thing on my 1031. Gen 2 stopped charging and I could drive it for about a month. This was every day back and forth to work. Then I would put the charger on the 2nd battery for a couple hours and I was good to go for another month. And my glow plug system is bone stock. So yes, in a pinch driving a cucv with a dead alternator #2 is OK in a pinch, as long as your batteries are good.
When I had time I rebuilt both alternators and its back to normal.