Fire engines are among the most important vehicles on the road, which means fire engine alternators are all the more critical.
There are two things all fire engine fleet managers need to remember:
- Never put something repaired or rebuilt on a fire engine.
- Preventative maintenance is extremely important.
Any downtime in your fire apparatus leaves gaps in your service’s ability to respond to a fire. Getting the right equipment on your fire engine and keeping up with preventative maintenance are two of the most important things you can do.
What is the ideal new alternator for my fire apparatus?
You can get the right fire engine alternators for your mounts here.
Even with the incredibly high standards of rebuild and repair work, nothing stands up to the quality of a new, factory-assembled alternator.
Part of your job is to reduce the likelihood your vehicles will break down at a critical time. Choosing the right new alternator is an important step in protecting against a disastrous breakdown when lives are at stake.
When you replace old alternators with something new, you can schedule your downtime when you absolutely know a shortage of a vehicle won’t impact public safety.
What kind of preventative maintenance matters most?
You do everything you can to control the status of your vehicles, and this is among the most important stuff.
Inspection and maintenance includes examining many of the integral parts of the fire engine. This includes checking the:
- Electrical system, including the onboard air compressor, charging system, sirens.
- Pump, with relief valve, priming system and gauges.
- Foam tank.
- Chassis – gaskets and seals, clutch linkage, shock absorbers, brakes.
- Engine, oil, air filter, coolant, belts.
- Cab, with headlights, seats and seatbelts, DOT lights.
How often should you replace your alternators or perform maintenance?
How long an alternator lasts or its longevity is unknown. There are so many variables depending on the application as well as the conditions it is operated under.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says full-scale maintenance should occur however often the manufacturer recommends, or every year. Whichever comes first.
Use alternators manufactured by Original Equipment Manufacturer’s such as C.E.Niehoff or Prestolite Leece-Neville. This will ensure that you are getting the best quality possible and keep your equipment running.
C.E.Niehoff has an easy to use quick reference chart for determining the correct alternator based on your vehicle and load requirements.
Summary
So ensure you have a new alternator replacement in stock to fit your fire apparatus and stay ready to complete your maintenance on schedule, the moment you need to. And never deviate from your preventative maintenance schedule, even for a day!