Alternator not working

I didn't hear any "squealing" noise while working today, but my alternator is no longer charging! In fact the battery went dead and I had to jump it for two starts.

What should I look for when I try to fix this problem? My wires are all brand new and I think the connections are tight. The "squealing" sound may just be the belt and may be unrelated to the not charging, I don't know. Here's another thing - I have been disconnecting the battery cable from the positive pole when I park for the night. That's because there's a tiny power drain with everything turned off - I can see a little blue spark in the barn where it's dark. Could I have lost polarity by disconnecting it this way? My other 8N has the identical rig and it's charging fine. Thanks for any info. - Sam

I wonder if the noise was coming from the brushes as they were "dying". I that is the case, since the noise is gone, probably the brushes are no more. Thus, because the rotor is not getting current, the stator will not generate voltage/current.

I've had to replace the brushes in my old Plymouth Valant several times. In the Chrysler alternators, the brushes wear to the point the springs cannot push them into the slip rings hard enough to make contact. I find out they have worn when the headlights are on and the ampmeter shows diacharge. Luckily they are easy to replace, don't even have to pull the alternator out of the car.

Hope you find the problem and it an easy fix.
Larry

Removing the belt, does the alternator spin freely?

I can't answer why, but I have often seen on these alternators that they stop working about the same time the bearings go.

Just out of curiosity, how do you have the altenator mounted? Mine kept coming loose and it was driving me crazy, granted it has always been a short drive. Anyway, going through a wash, I noticed the axel came up and nudged the altenator and next thing I know, no charging.... I rehung the alt to have more clearance, but I need to figure out a way to incorporate a spring like with the generator. Good luck with your garden

Regards
Bill

Bill - I "Ozark Engineered" an alternator bracket by adding some homemade pieces to the generator bracket, photo attached. Not shown is a piece of strap steel that adjusts and wedges between the body of the alternator and that bolt at the front of the engine head, maintaining belt tension. This mounting rig works well for me, and I don't think it caused the problem.

I'm inclined to think the problem is a bad bearing in the alternator, because of that "squealing" noise. I don't know much about alternators, though. Would a bad bearing keep it from charging? How? Seems like it still goes round-and-round even with a bad bearing, so why wouldn't it still charge? Help me out, here, someone. Thanks!

Hope this helps.

Mountainman (CA)