MiMonaco
New Member
They can but usually less expensive to buy another. I had forgot to mention there is a simple test to determine if the diodes have crapped the bed - Using your digital volt meter set it to read AC voltage. Start the engine and set the RPM to 1500. Load down the DC circuits by turning on as many DC devices as you can. Then measure the voltage between the alternator BAT post and ground. You are measuring the DC ripple which is actually AC voltage. That measurement should be less than 0.10 Volts. If greater the diode rectifier is going south....
ttmott, Thank you for the thorough explanation. That is exactly what I was looking for. I will do the testing you recommend just to know where I stand. If I'm looking at the correct alternator on the CAT Parts website the prices aren't terrible. My season unfortunately ends soon for quite a duration, so I'll have plenty of time to change it out. I was planning to do belts this winter anyway, so it's somewhat more palatable.