Windstar 2000 alternator

[azharj]

Hi Friends!
Please! any one having experience of TYC or Power Select alternators available on eBay and RockAuto. In my vinni Re-manufactured Motorcraft alternator burnt after 4 years. Motorcraft now not available here.Used Motorcraft lasted for one year. Delux Canada alternator though half price also lasts for one year probably because of water during auto service. Or any suggestion?
Thanks
Azhar J

[Ed_Strong]

I've been there, done that many times! This vans are notorious for damaging the alternators. I believe that main culprit is that big bracket holding the Alternator to the engine block, it's too big and too thick, not only does it transfer too much heat over to the Alt but also encases and shrouds the Alt in that heat cooking it's internals. Another great design by Ford engineers!
So after getting sick of replacing Alts form new to remanufactured...every brand that I could afford they all ended the same way...cooked, I actually went to AutoZone and bought their best made Alt. I think it was their Duralast Gold (or whatever it was) which came with a lifetime warranty. So now whenever it cooks (and it will happen again) I just go there and trade it for a fresh one.

[tomj76]

@Ed Usually thermal resistance improved (reduces) with increasing the thickness of material. Also aluminum is a much better heat conductor than steel. If you expect heat to move out through the bracket, then the heavy aluminum alternator bracket actually does a better job of moving heat than a thinner one made from steel. However, alternators are primarily cooled by air moving through the ventilation ports at the front, back and sides rather than the mounting bracket.

https://www.electronics-cooling.com/...r-electronics/

Update:
I see I made a mistake, and you're actually concerned about heat moving from the engine to the alternator assembly, which can occur with the heat aluminum bracket. However this is only a concern if the engine is hotter than the alternator body. The engine is operating at ~190 degF and from what I've read it is normal for the alternator to run at a temperature that close to or even hotter than the engine. Alternators that run hotter than the engine are cooled by the bracket.

[Ed_Strong]

As you mentioned on your post. not a lot of air is able to circulate thru the Alt with this big wide bracket blocking the ventilation. Oh, by the way its just my observation and not necesarily a fact... then again it could be

[azharj]

Thanks for all comments. I will keep a spare in my van. The solution I think. but I had use japnese cars where alternators worked 20 years. cars finished but generators did not.

[12Ounce]

Always seemed a good design to include a fan blade under the belt pulley, I think this application could have used such. Shame designers!

I am cautious of high temperatures under the hood, therefore I have installed a shorting circuit that; when switched on, drives both cooling fans during engine run period. Seems to help everything, except perhaps MPG.

[azharj]

Hello all! two years and a half ago I installed Acedelco from RockAuto on my Winni 3.8 l 2000. It had been squeaking. For a few months giving voltage 13.5 maximum battery charging to 100%. But at stop light with full beams and both front and rear AC with fan full voltage falling to 11.7 and battery charging to 70%. cruising to 50 mile PH with the mentioned accessories on, maximum voltage 13 and charged 90%. I swapped it with an one month used by myself squeaking Delux Canada alternator 100$ chines made, giving me almost constant voltage about 14.5-13.9 in any circumstance and 100% charging. I have installed a small Chinese LED monitor in cigar lighter, showing voltage, battery condition and surrounding temperature measuring Now I want to by a spare from eBay. What should I chose among: WAI, TYC, DB electrical all 135 AMP one year warranty, AM auto, 135 amp 10 year warranty DB electrical 160amp, 200amp one year warranty?? any experience ??? Is alternator in windstar 2000 3.8 L same as in Ford Explorer and F 150 and other F Series??