As a long-standing preferred choice for bus and transit applications, the 50DN alternator continues to provide the industry with an efficient and cost-effective way to handle the increasing electrical loads of today’s buses.
And, like any product, the 50DN needs to be properly maintained and serviced in order to function and perform at a high level.
For optimal results, it’s critical to keep an eye on the oil system. If the oil cavity is too full (commonly referred to as flooding), it can raise temperatures in the alternator, eventually causing it to overheat and potentially lose output. But the good news is that flooding is a maintenance problem that is easily prevented with some proactive steps on your part.
• Preventive Step #1: Ensure you have installed the correct size of vent and drain lines to proper locations, as specified in the product manual. The vent should be a ¼ inch and the drain 1 inch. Using the wrong size could pose a problem over time. The vent line also needs to be vented to crankcase pressure.
• Preventive Step #2: Periodically check the condition of the vent and drain lines. While this doesn’t have to be done frequently, an occasional check could help identify an oil trap in the vent line, or insufficient downward slope in the drain line.
• Preventive Step #3: Make sure your oil supply meets the defined requirements of ½ - 2 gallons per minute. If you are providing oil too fast, the drain may be unable to keep up and eventually flood. (And if not enough oil is provided, the 50DN will fail to provide proper cooling, causing overheating and a host of other issues.)
When it comes to oil flooding, there is no advance warning—you won’t know until it happens. And at that point, it’s too late. But with these preventive measures, you hold the keys to a high-performing, smooth-running machine.