Inspection of the Battery-Charging Alternator
Precautions must be taken when working on or around the alternator. The diodes
and transistors in the alternator circuit are very sensitive and can be easily
destroyed. To avoid equipment damage, the following conditions must be met:
WARNING: Battery Explosion and Acid Burn
To avoid injury from battery explosion or contact with battery acid,
work in a well ventilated area, wear protective clothing, and avoid
sparks or flames near the battery. If you come in contact with
battery acid:
• Flush your skin with water.
• Apply baking soda or lime to help neutralize the acid.
• Flush your eyes with water.
• Get medical attention immediately.
• Avoid grounding the output terminal. Grounding an alternator output wire or
terminal (which is always hot, regardless of whether or not the engine is running)
and accidentally reversing the battery polarity will result in equipment damage.
• Do not reverse battery connections.
• Never disconnect the battery while the alternator is operating. Disconnecting the
battery can result in damage to the battery diodes. In applications which have
two sets of batteries, switching from one set to the other while the engine is
running will momentarily disconnect the batteries.
• If a booster battery is to be used, batteries must be connected correctly (negative
to negative, positive to positive).
• Never use a fast charger with the batteries connected or as a booster for battery
output.
For information on the alternator assembly, contact an authorized distributor,
depending on manufacturer.
Check the alternator as follows:
1. Inspect the terminals for corrosion and loose connections and wiring for
damage and frayed insulation. Have wiring repaired or replaced, as required.
2. Check torque on alternator mounting bolts and bracketing every 30,000 miles
(50,000 km). Re-tighten if necessary.
Lubricating the Fan Hub
If the fan bearing hub assembly has a grease fitting, use a hand grease gun to
lubricate the bearings with one shot of quality lithium-based, multipurpose grease
every 120,000 miles (200,000 km). Care should be taken not to overfill the bearing
housing.
DD Platform EuroIV Operators Manual
All information subject to change without notice.
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DDC-SVC-MAN-0175
Copyright © 2014 DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION