cleaning the alternator

[jg]

It's time to clean the grime and rusty spots from the Yanmar 4JH3E engine on my 2000 40DSSun Odyssey. The alternator looks pretty grimy and I would like to attend to that also but am unsure of the safest way to do that. I have read that the same Dove dishwashing liquid +/- brake cleaner is safe if wire connections are avoided, but then read that cleaning the wire connections is the most important part of it. Some threads have emphasized that water is taboo and others have used water and a hair dryer. Some emphasize completely removing the alternator and others simply unhooking the battery connections. Any observations, suggestions, would be appreciated. Thanks.

[zaphod]

You can buy spray cleaners specifically designed for electric motors.

www.grainger.com/product/CRC-Electrical-Parts-Cleaner-4YPJ5

[sailingabe41ds]

Hi..

What I do is take the alternator out. The nice thing about doing that is that you learn something new and you learn what tools you will need if you ever need to replace the alternator or a belt  away from home. I also carry a my original alternator as a spare since I upgraded to a Balmar.

It is okay to use water and Dove on the outside and then use a compressed air to dry it.  Remember that auto engines are not water proof going through heavy puddles and rain will find itself into the engine compartment getting your alternator wet.  If there are plugs I do not mind washing it too and getting it wet...just use compressed air again and maybe some alcohol to dry.

I do not know about brake cleaners or carburetor cleaners. My concern with that is the if your alternator is painted it may affect the paint as one of those I think is acetone.

This may also be a good time to replace the belt if it is old....and now you have a spare.

Have fun..

There are many ways of doing this....but usually my way is the right way

Abe

[NZL50505]

Engine cleaning products are fine on the alternator as long as you stick to the outside casing. But that’s just the cosmetic bit. The real question is whether you have injested much belt dust into the alternator itself (it is designed to suck air through itself via its cooling fins). If you have lots of cosmetic buildup on the outer casing on a regular basis then chances are you have dust inside too.

The alternator will cope with some dust but not lots. My own (painful and expensive) experience is that you ignore dust at your peril. The first signs are erratic charging voltages (anything from no charging to dangerous voltage spikes in the 16-18v range which can cook your batts). The dust causing shorting issues. I lost an alternator and batteries this way. Since then I remove it and get it cleaned by an automative engineer every 2 yrs.

[jg]

Thank you. All for the good advice. I will remove the alternator and use your suggestions.

[Damen af Kungsholmen]

Never ever use a spray that consist silicone oil near by.

The silicone will tear out the carbon brushes in the alternator. It’s the same thing with ordinary DC motor that have carbon brushes.
Source of this information are from when I visit www.heinzmann-electric-motors.com/ 
Good luck