Alternator Height

The alternator on the 2.7 is under the engine. Don't ask me who the rocket scientist who made that call is...

PSUTE

The alternator on the 2.7 is under the engine. Don't ask me who the rocket scientist who made that call is...

On the bottom!? Damn! Looking at my 2.3L, I noticed the alternator is kind of low (when compared to my old 5.7 chevy from years ago!). I read where someone was running through a trail a little too deep and submerged their alternator (2.7L engine), ruining it, which got me to looking at the Everglades and the fact that it ONLY has a 2.3L for an engine. That had me wondering how much water can I draft with killing the alternator on my non squatch Black Diamond.

That is part of the 2.3l only on the Glades. The other is weight, a trade off for the extra weight of the winch. The breather tubes for the axels and transmission are extended and the snorkel all give it the extra fording capabilities. I can tell you I love the 2.3l in my Glades, but the alternator is still rather low.

Jakob1972

That is part of the 2.3l only on the Glades. The other is weight, a trade off for the extra weight of the winch. The breather tubes for the axels and transmission are extended and the snorkel all give it the extra fording capabilities. I can tell you I love the 2.3l in my Glades, but the alternator is still rather low.

That is some of what I am looking for. Thank you! I`m thinking that an Automatic is standard because it is enclosed vs a manual with a clutch, which would get wet (how bad would that affect operation of a manual?), thus not being sealed against water intrusion.

Getting wet shouldn't affect the operation of the clutch, just as getting wet doesn't impact the function of disc brakes.

I heard the other day that the 2.3L does mount the alternator higher than the 2.7L, and thus has a slightly deeper fording depth. Does anybody know an actual number for a Sasquatch 2.3L (non-'Glades)?

5_ohBronco

Getting wet shouldn't affect the operation of the clutch, just as getting wet doesn't impact the function of disc brakes.

I heard the other day that the 2.3L does mount the alternator higher than the 2.7L, and thus has a slightly deeper fording depth. Does anybody know an actual number for a Sasquatch 2.3L (non-'Glades)?

Thank you!

Next Question: If the 2.3L is made to run through 30" (or is it 34" with the Everglades?) of water, surely the alternator would be under water as well, as I can`t see it being that highly mounted off of the ground. What happens when it is submerged?
Not trying to be a pain, but a serious newbie question. (Explain in one syllable words if you need to!) I am going with the assumption that water and electricity don`t mix, so how does it work when submerged?

I believe the Everglades fording depth is 36.4” but since it has stopped raining here the last few years I have only gone through a few inches of water myself. The alternator works with a spinning armature wrapped with copper wires as it spins it passes magnets and that is what creates the electricity. So water itself is probably not going to hurt the alternator but if you are fording very muddy water than the mud in the water will/could kill your alternator as @mitchcreel creel learned. I can go take some measurements on the Glades this evening if you like.

Jakob1972

I believe the Everglades fording depth is 36.4” but since it has stopped raining here the last few years I have only gone through a few inches of water myself. The alternator works with a spinning armature wrapped with copper wires as it spins it passes magnets and that is what creates the electricity. So water itself is probably not going to hurt the alternator but if you are fording very muddy water than the mud in the water will/could kill your alternator as @mitchcreel creel learned. I can go take some measurements on the Glades this evening if you like.

I agree, from what I’ve seen, it appears that muddy is what really kills the alternator.

TK1215

I agree, from what I’ve seen, it appears that muddy is what really kills the alternator.

This is true. Contrary to popular belief, pure water does not conduct electricity. However, as salts and other things are dissolved in the water, it DOES conduct electricity. Muddy water will have a much higher likelihood of damaging electrical components in the alternator and other areas. Most components in vehicles are water-resistant, and not truly waterproof.

Additionally, muddy water will put sand/silt/sediment in all the working components such as bearings. This is why fording depth is also tied to the height of the breather tubes for the differentials. Muddy water can also damage electric fan motors.

5_ohBronco

This is true. Contrary to popular belief, pure water does not conduct electricity. However, as salts and other things are dissolved in the water, it DOES conduct electricity. Muddy water will have a much higher likelihood of damaging electrical components in the alternator and other areas. Most components in vehicles are water-resistant, and not truly waterproof.

Additionally, muddy water will put sand/silt/sediment in all the working components such as bearings. This is why fording depth is also tied to the height of the breather tubes for the differentials. Muddy water can also damage electric fan motors.

I would be more concerned with everything else that is getting wet. The 36.4” would put the water height to about your seat so you would be sitting in water . There are lots of connectors that are lower than that. I am a big believer in just because your vehicle can do something doesn’t mean you should do it, but I am glad if I need to cross 30” of water I should be fine.

Jakob1972

I would be more concerned with everything else that is getting wet. The 36.4” would put the water height to about your seat so you would be sitting in water . There are lots of connectors that are lower than that. I am a big believer in just because your vehicle can do something doesn’t mean you should do it, but I am glad if I need to cross 30” of water I should be fine.

Right after I got my 21 BL I put dielectric grease on every connector I could find.

5_ohBronco

This is true. Contrary to popular belief, pure water does not conduct electricity. However, as salts and other things are dissolved in the water, it DOES conduct electricity. Muddy water will have a much higher likelihood of damaging electrical components in the alternator and other areas. Most components in vehicles are water-resistant, and not truly waterproof.

Additionally, muddy water will put sand/silt/sediment in all the working components such as bearings. This is why fording depth is also tied to the height of the breather tubes for the differentials. Muddy water can also damage electric fan motors.

That is why I installed the ARB differential breather kit. I moved the height of the breather to just under the hood and I elevated the front and rear differential breathers along with the transmission and transfer case breathers. Just as a “just in case”.

Jakob1972

I believe the Everglades fording depth is 36.4” but since it has stopped raining here the last few years I have only gone through a few inches of water myself. The alternator works with a spinning armature wrapped with copper wires as it spins it passes magnets and that is what creates the electricity. So water itself is probably not going to hurt the alternator but if you are fording very muddy water than the mud in the water will/could kill your alternator as @mitchcreel creel learned. I can go take some measurements on the Glades this evening if you like.

Thank you, that is what I was looking for! Please do, if you could.

TK1215

That is why I installed the ARB differential breather kit. I moved the height of the breather to just under the hood and I elevated the front and rear differential breathers along with the transmission and transfer case breathers. Just as a “just in case”.

How hard of a job is that to do? Would ARB have all of the above mentioned parts, and would the manual transmission have a breather as well?
Thank you.

Wood J

How hard of a job is that to do? Would ARB have all of the above mentioned parts, and would the manual transmission have a breather as well?
Thank you.

Not sure if the manual has a transmission breather tube or not but why wouldn’t it? All you are doing is extending the air tube higher to prevent drawing water in. And ARB does have everything you need minus a screw and a flat piece of bar stock. It was pretty easy to install.

I posted my install in the, “What did you do to your Bronco today?” thread, post 3502

TK1215

That is why I installed the ARB differential breather kit. I moved the height of the breather to just under the hood and I elevated the front and rear differential breathers along with the transmission and transfer case breathers. Just as a “just in case”.

Then your Breather tubes are higher than the Glades if I remember at least one of them is near the firewall drivers side but is several inches below the hood. @Wood J Ill try to take some pictures for you. If you can source the parts I bet you can get all the Everglades breather tubes and such, I have even seen a guy add the snorkel but you will need lots of everglade parts and be willing to cut a hole in your fender. but the ARB kit is an all in one kit so that might be better.

Hard to get good measurements but it looks like the bottom of the alternator is about 28” so at 36.4” of fording depth the alternator is completely submerged. Also keep in mind if you are moving through 36.4” of water you are building a wall of water as you push though so that is probably 38” or so there. So looks like the alternator is not that much of a concern to Ford for water fording depth.
Here Are a few pics of my glades so you can see the differenc. Oh and my breather tubes are about 40”.