Does this look right?

[Scott_Hower]

Bought an alternator recently. The fan looks a little weird to me. Vendor says it's fine and they all look like that.

What's your opinion? My concern is balance, not asthetics. I'm concerned that this will eat the bushings.

 

[Billm]

I am only assuming that it is correct and was done to minimize the buzzing sound of an evenly spaced fan- the same way that the US manufacturer's have unevenly spaced radiator fans to break-up the sound.
I will bet that it IS balanced.
BillM

 

[aeronca65t]

Yeah, it's weird but it's pretty common too. Done to reduce noise as Bill says.

You can see similar info about it HERE

 

[Scott_Hower]

Thanks guys. Learned something new today!

 

[nomad]

Personally I like the later open alternators with the skeleton case and no fan. Just a tad less parsitic power loss.

Kurt.

 

[Scott_Hower]

Personally I like the later open alternators with the skeleton case and no fan. Just a tad less parsitic power loss.

Kurt.

Some late model BMWs have water cooled alternators instead of a fan. They're sealed and run in the water jacket/block. The terminal is recessed into the front of the case, behind the pulley.

They're also about $1000. :shocked:

 

[PeterC]

And... add a clutched pulley...

Also, the open case alternators do have a fan usually on the rear. They also overheat in some apps.


Peter

 

[nomad]

And... add a clutched pulley...

Also, the open case alternators do have a fan usually on the rear. They also overheat in some apps.


Peter

Well, Peter, this is'nt the first time I've tried to pass off one of my asumption's as fact. But since the industry has gone pretty much universally to the skeleton cased alternator, they are probably more efficient than the old ones I would guess.

Kurt.