Double alternators for the win: 1993 Volvo B10M 1 of 2 alternators failed, Drove 50km home.

On the 28th September 2024 I was doing a Wedding Run in My 1993 Volvo B10M, It was a wet rainy run.

While cruising along We hit a puddle which knocked out 1 of 2 of the Dual alternators.

The bus was able to continue and finish its run for the remainder of the 50km, Albeit without the interior lights, Heater, Fan, CCTV etc powered up. Which allowed the working 24v 140amp Alternator to give priority to the headlights, Indicators and tail lights.

Thankfully Vivian the Volvo being a 1993 Volvo B10M, She’s still Mechanical enough to “Limp” the bus somewhere safe. In this case the 50km back to our depot albeit with minimal electrics, Where it took Us 10 minutes to diagnose the alternator and an hour to swap them out using hand tools. While laying on the ground with the bus mainly aired down, With power tools over a pit or on a lift it’d be a half hour job if that.

Unlike a more modern electronic diesel / Electric bus where you need a computer degree to diagnose them.