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We inherited an 83 Pace Arrow when a good friend died. According to his notes the alternator/starter was replaced shortly before he stopped using the RV. It sat for a couple of years and now it has sat for another couple in our driveway. When we had an older battery on it we jump started it and it would run but when we removed the jumper cables from the battery it would die. We've tried other batteries with the same results. As long as we leave the jumper cables on it runs. Could the alternator go bad just sitting there or is there another problem that we should be considering?
It is possible that the brushes (two small components that transfer activating electricity) can corode or sieze into their holders if the unit sits without running or is in a poor enviroment. Ocaisionally a sharp tap on the out side casing of the alternator with a steel hammer will free them up. Dont hit it hard, just rap it. In my experiance if they do this once the will do it over and over again. If you are mechanical an alternator is not to hard to tear apart and reassemble to free these up. But it is more likly that the alternator has eaten an internal electrical component from being run without being hooked to a battery (bad conection etc) and it will take a knowlegable person with the correct tools to repair the one you have or it will need replacing. Testing is dependent on the motor and alternator type. If I had those I might be able to help you out better. Good Luck
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