[bystickel]

5 hours into 2000 mile trip, my alternator stopped charging. It's Saturday night, and the tiny town of Hardin, MT doesn't have a parts store open on Sunday. I'm flat-towing a '65 Dodge van, and I'm trying to outrun a coming snow storm.

If my batteries (new this year) are fully charged, can I make it 50 miles to get back (to Billings)? In the day, I won't need lights, and I can minimize use of anything electrical.

Any help would be appreciated. HELP!

 

[krs]

Probably not.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Should have no issue at all going 50 miles you should be good up to 100 miles from my past experiences

 

[bystickel]

I like that second answer! After the light came on, I went about 22 miles with lights on, and the batteries showed 12.6V (I have all my tools with me), so I was hoping I'd make it. I do not want to have to be towed, while already towing.

 

[Murphjd25]

I would think you’d be fine to make it back 50 miles to Billings. Less accessories running the better.

 

[rubberfish]

I'm not really sure you'll make it.
But if you make a go of it, put me down for falling thirteen miles short please.

 

[vcv]

5 hours into 2000 mile trip, my alternator stopped charging. It's Saturday night, and the tiny town of Hardin, MT doesn't have a parts store open on Sunday. I'm flat-towing a '65 Dodge van, and I'm trying to outrun a coming snow storm.

If my batteries (new this year) are fully charged, can I make it 50 miles to get back (to Billings)? In the day, I won't need lights, and I can minimize use of anything electrical.

Any help would be appreciated. HELP!

50 miles shouldn’t be an issue at all. Turn off all accessories (radio, fan, phone chargers, etc.). 50 miles should only take 45 mins or so. If your batteries are good, I would be very surprised if you didn’t make.

 

[98whitelightnin]

I drove over 400 miles from Amarillo Tx, to Pagosa Springs Colorado in my 98 12v with a dead alternator. Then started it the next morning and drove back to Del Norte to Napa for an alternator.

 

[NCC74656]

You're not going to have an issue. I've gone literally three or four weeks without charging batteries and no alternator before. Our trucks do not use a lot of power

 

[bystickel]

I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks, guys. I'll update with my results.

 

[NCC74656]

Maybe this goes without saying but, keep your radio off and only use your lights when it's actually dark out

 

[bigfish95971]

Did you make it? I did over an hour with lights on. Still started fine afterward.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

You're not going to have an issue. I've gone literally three or four weeks without charging batteries and no alternator before. Our trucks do not use a lot of power

I figured as much i have only went about 100 miles and still had no issues but i would hate to give the guy false hope without having the experience. If it was a 12V i know he could go forever as it really does not need the 12v for much

 

[afterburn549]

I have done 50 miles with the lights on at night once...

 

[David Ivory]

5 hours into 2000 mile trip, my alternator stopped charging. It's Saturday night, and the tiny town of Hardin, MT doesn't have a parts store open on Sunday. I'm flat-towing a '65 Dodge van, and I'm trying to outrun a coming snow storm.

If my batteries (new this year) are fully charged, can I make it 50 miles to get back (to Billings)? In the day, I won't need lights, and I can minimize use of anything electrical.

Any help would be appreciated. HELP!

With EVERYTHING turned off and 2 good condition batteries you should be able to make it. When you can, make sure you get a NEW alternator. Remanufactured ones from parts stores are often, ..... questionable at best.

 

[krs]

So far 70% of the remanned alternators I've tried were duds. New only from now on for me

 

[David Ivory]

So far 70% of the remanned alternators I've tried were duds. New only from now on for me

That has been my experience as well. VERY poor quality. I just bought NOS ones for my 93.

Did you make it back ok????

 

[ron73440]

With EVERYTHING turned off and 2 good condition batteries you should be able to make it. When you can, make sure you get a NEW alternator. Remanufactured ones from parts stores are often, ..... questionable at best.

Can you rebuild it, or is that the starter I'm thinking of?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Can you rebuild it, or is that the starter I'm thinking of?

Yes it can be rebuilt but unlike a starter there is not enough cost difference to bother having it rebuilt

 

[David Ivory]

Can you rebuild it, or is that the starter I'm thinking of?

You can rebuild them, and I have. The problem AGAIN, it the quality of the parts. Cheap aftermarket parts have failed me several times. You have to use OEM or as good aftermarket parts. Brand new OEM ones are PRICEY, but they are QUALITY.