alternator temperatures

[keba]

How hot is the alternator supposed to be?
I tried a meat thermo after I did a crude test(spit on it) and it clocked at 85C. Im unable to understand this because the pivot bolt is not that hot....so the heat is not coming from the engine

Im scared that this is a internal short and one of the windings is resistively heating up on itself.

So how hot is it supposed to run? and any other ideas about whats going on with mine?

Anybody successfully rewound their alternators here?


Thanks,
Keba

[Doctor J]

The hottest reading I got once was 65 degrees C.
In case of short it will smoke and smell.

[toyomoho]

If you can not keep your finger on it for any length of time, it is about 155F.

If it had a short, as Doctor J states you would most likely know it. Usually an alternator just stops working. There are also fuses and fusable links in the wiring.

The more electric power you use, the hotter it will get. Do you have anything(s) that draws a lot of power?

The alternator cools itself by the fan on the outside drawing air though the case. Make sure the vents in the case are not plugged or the alternators internals are not covered in dirt and dust.

It might also be a bearing going out, but you should be able to hear this.

[keba]

No I cannot touch it beyond 3 secs !!But no weird smells or smoke.and my starts have been very smooth,and I am not experiencing any issues with my accesories also.No I dont have anything beyond stock radio.

When i did a belt last week I rotated the alternator and it was quite smooth with no play.

Are there any tests for the alternator? open or closed circuit?

thanks,
keba

[Doctor J]

Just check a voltage on the battery terminals. Make sure it is not higher then 14.9 volts at 2000 rpm.