I think it was already said here, but its not the water, its the crap in the water. I'm not sure an alternator can be made completely waterproof on a vehicle. As well as generating electricity, it will generate heat and that heat will need a place to go.
If it were completely boxed in, that heat will lead to earlier failure of the components. My factory alt made it over 12 years (granted: don't wheel much) and I'm thinking it may have still been good when I replaced it. The other extreme is to run a liquid cooling system around it. This still requires a shield around the alt to protect it from the coolant, as well as either a self contained cooling system, or tapping into the main coolant lines.
The 3rd option (one I haven't seen discussed) is to relocate the alt higher in the engine bay.
The best thing you can do for now? Carry a trail spare, spray silicon on every surface you can get to, and clean the alt at the end of the day.
Sent via wild ferrets on crack
If it were completely boxed in, that heat will lead to earlier failure of the components. My factory alt made it over 12 years (granted: don't wheel much) and I'm thinking it may have still been good when I replaced it. The other extreme is to run a liquid cooling system around it. This still requires a shield around the alt to protect it from the coolant, as well as either a self contained cooling system, or tapping into the main coolant lines.
The 3rd option (one I haven't seen discussed) is to relocate the alt higher in the engine bay.
The best thing you can do for now? Carry a trail spare, spray silicon on every surface you can get to, and clean the alt at the end of the day.
Sent via wild ferrets on crack