Can A Failing Alternator 'Kill' A Battery ?

[ParkerNorris]

Morning All

After having a few battery issues over the last 12 months, I'm having a bit of a review to see if there is something I've missed:

June 2012: The original 'Japanese' battery was replaced with a Bosch S4 335, as it failed to hold a charge. All was well until:

December 2012: After a few weeks not being used, battery was dead. New Bosch obtained under warranty. All good again until:

April 2013: Again, after a few weeks not in use, battery dead, before going away for the weekend. Put a couple of hours charge on the battery, started up and away we went. Literally as we arrived at our destination, Bongo died. From memory, charge and sediment lights came on. Managed to get a jump start so we could position the Bongo in the field where we were staying for the weekend. Whilst the engine was running (lumpily), a voltmeter showed no charge at the battery. RAC man called, checked the alternator, no output. Helpful RAC man fitted a new battery, put our battery on charge, followed us home and swapped batteries. Left Bongo until this weekend.

August 2013: Fitted new alternator (This one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1154327199 Great service, delivered next day. Apart from the 2 connections being in a slightly different position relevant to the original alternator, no fitting issues). Tried to charge the Bosch Battery, no joy. Managed to get a another new replacement, after a few raised eyebrows. After a fuel system prime, Bongo started, getting a good 14.4v at the battery on idle.

So, 2 questions:

1. Can a failing alternator effectively reduce two new Bosch batteries to an unchargeable state ?
2. Given the above timeline, is it safe to assume that the combination of a new battery and alternator should be the end of my problems, or are there other things I need to look at and check ?

Sorry, a third question; Is it worth getting my original Hitachi alternator repaired ? If so, any recommendations for who by, preferably in the Beds/Bucks area ?

Thanks for reading, any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

[scanner]

The failed alternator is just the reason they aren't getting charged.

So - it's not so much the failed alternator that is killing the batteries - it's using them until they are flat because they aren't being charged that is killing them.

You can't keep running a battery flat - and FLAT is anything much under 11volts - and expect it to live very long.

[karena]

had similar problems got the local garage to send the alternator to be re-conditioned and put back but then had problems again, someone with a spare bongo alternator came over to put it on and see what was going on it was immediatly apparent even to my inexperienced eye laid side by side the alternators were different sizes the reconditioned alternator wasnt our original but one off something else obviousely it fitted the space but it was too small for the bongos requirements -so firstly if your new one doesnt solve the problems that could be the reason, secondly if you send the old one off mark it somehow,so you know thats what you get back.

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Sorry, a third question; Is it worth getting my original Hitachi alternator repaired ? If so, any recommendations for who by, preferably in the Beds/Bucks area ?

There is someone just the other side of St Neots from you who should be able to do it.


Rush Electrical Services -
Address:
Orchard Farm
St. Ives Road
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 6TW

They repaired a washing machine motor for me and said they could do alternators as well.

They are a nice little old fashioned "2 men in an old chicken shed" type business. No fancy unit on a modern industrial estate.