Using 2 alternators .....
My main priority is a spare alt
Think redundancy
It would be great if I could also get more
Benefits from dual alts
Alternators are nearly foolproof. Generally the only thing that ever fails in a Mopar Period-correct unit, are the brushes, getting a little short. I just carry a spare set, and a screwdriver to swap them in.
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About every 50,000 miles I repack the small rear bearing, and at about 100,000 miles I replace them both, repacking them first with hi-temp moly-grease. These Mopar alternators are so simple.
Furthermore;
When/if the alternator actually quits, if you can shut the electrics off, except for the ignition, the battery will allow you to continue cruising for several hours; certainly further than the gas in your tank will take you. Then pull over and and plug-in or get a 30 minute boost.
For this reason my daily-driver hotrod will never have an electric fuelpump, nor a high-powered ignition. But it does have a fat Optima in the trunk.
If I had to guess, I'd say 95% of all dead alternators just need new longer brushes. Since about 1972 I have replaced exactly ONE Mopar alternator, and that was only because I was an ignorant 20 year old.
But I have rebuilt at least a dozen, lol.
In those 50 years, I have suffered;
ONE failed coil winding,
ONE failed Armature, and
a FEW failed diodes.
Your Mopar alternator will drive for years with one failed diode, maybe even with two; Allbeit with dim lights.
If you are concerned; fill your gastank, turn everything off, unplug the regulator, and drive! When she starts loosing power or missfiring, pull over and plug the regulator back in before she stalls. Then turn around, find a gas station, and go home. Post your results ............... please.
