Alternator kits

Post by **tufty** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:16 pm

Hi anyone had dealings with upgrading to alternators, particularily kits are the brackets any good are the actual alternators any good. I dont want to spend hard earned dosh,

to find a weekend of tin bashing to replace 'Micky Mouse' brackets that I have payed for. Then a fortnight later have the alternator pack up.

Post by **simmitc** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:48 pm

I've done the conversion the cheap way with more work via the scrap yard, and the easy but slightly more expensive way via a kit from a Minor Specialist. I've bought kits from several of the advertisers in Minor Matters. They all supply the alternator, pulley, fan belt, mounting bracket & wiring harness + instructions. The bracket is the standard BL type part. Some include a bracket for the coil (it used to go on the now removed dynamo), some don't. All have been in service for several years. Char to the supplier & see what they include. It's a simple and effective upgrade, and the suppliers are all generally helpful. You'll get lovely bright lights for winter, and be able to run a heated screen too !

Post by **Cam** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:51 pm

I have had lots of trouble with dodgy alternators (mostly brand new ones). If you want reliability then stick with the dynamo!

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:09 pm

If you do decide to buy get it from someone like Bull Motif or East Sussex Minors both are good on price and supply times.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 8:38 am

Hi!

I got my alternator kit from ESM and had no problems installing it. You do have to reposition the coil (mine is now on the bulkhead using two existing mounts). I've done Reading/Bristol and Reading/London and had no problems since fitting it.

Nikki

(Although it was only fitted a week and a bit ago)

Post by **edtog** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:48 pm

I got mine from John at Minor developments, no problems so far, kit comes with all brackets and even a new fanbelt!

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:21 pm

i put an alternator kit on my van i used to have a couple of years ago, and had no problems, i changed it after the new reconditioned dynamo i bought 12 months previous to that gave up the ghost after 13 months, sods law packed up after the warrenty.

i bought my alternator kit from esm with no problems.

i have got dynamos on both my pick up and gpo van, so far no problems with van after 2 winters

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 8:35 am

I've got dynamo's on my cars - no problems after 49 and 43 years respectively.. ;-)
You need to oil the rear bearing every 6000 miles (or whatever it says in the manual) otherwise it will pack up, and you need to change the brushes every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, and if you commute in the dark in winter you will may need to manually charge the battery. I find that a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 8:47 am

Ray, do you have any other electrics? I know Evelyn has front fogs, but Hebe was really struggling on keeping charged with a full load on in the cold evenings...

After having fitted a voltmeter I've noticed that the heater seems to draw more than anything else combined!

Nikki

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:19 am

Nikki,

You'll have to be careful using the 3Kw electric fan heater! Most of us struggle with the internal radiator/fan.

Seriously though, where do you measure the voltage? If you're using terminals near the heater fan, it may be that the meter is showing you that there's a poor earth in the circuit.

Colin

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:28 am

ColinP wrote:Nikki,

You'll have to be careful using the 3Kw electric fan heater! Most of us struggle with the internal radiator/fan.

Seriously though, where do you measure the voltage? If you're using terminals near the heater fan, it may be that the meter is showing you that there's a poor earth in the circuit.

Colin

LOL!

The voltage is being taken from a spare spade on the fuse box, and the earth is taken from the earth I've got supplying the whole instrument panel (rev counter, voltmeter and temperature gague)...

As for the damned heater, it would be better if the gear gaiter lasted for more than 6 months at a time - it's developed a nice crack just intime for the winter cold... I think I may just put some cloth over the hole or something...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:46 am

Ray, do you have any other electrics?

Front fog lights, rear fog lights, and a reversing light via a dashboard switch.
On the basis that it is rarely foggy in warwickshire the extra lights are not going to cause any extra drain. The heater motor is disconected at the moment (not looked in to that yet) so I will be using less current than the average moggy

The car has an ammeter so it does highlight when everything goes negative. I'm not sure if the ammeter was fitted properly as I've yet to see it go positive!!

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 4:20 pm

I've had an alternator for, ooh, two years or so. Maybe a bit longer, actually. I had an awful lot of trouble when it was first fitted; two faulty alternators which wreaked no end of havoc on the rest of the electrics (radio: now deceased, two coils: now deceased, fuel pump: died later); the *third* alternator though seems to have been a charm; and no more mornings with the starting handle...

...although I've yet to connect my heated rear screen so we'll see how we go after that shall we....

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 4:26 pm

it's developed a nice crack just intime for the winter cold... I think I may just put some cloth over the hole or something

I fitted a home made leather cloth gaiter over mine. It was about 9" tall and helped cover the scratches on the gearstick.

Post by **Chris Morley** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:39 pm

I'm with Cam - stick with a dynamo if you can (Kate's experience sounds like a nightmare).

Post by **Cam** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 10:50 pm

Chris Morley wrote:I'm with Cam - stick with a dynamo if you can (Kate's experience sounds like a nightmare).

Yes, my own experience with alternators is not dissimilar! And not just on Moggies either! My Rover 216 alternator went once taking a few bulbs and the coil with it. My MG has been through a fair few too!

Post by **forbesg** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:30 am

Cam wrote:
Chris Morley wrote:I'm with Cam - stick with a dynamo if you can (Kate's experience sounds like a nightmare).

I've been using a Mitsubisih Electric alternator (out of a Mazda 323) for a couple of years, and no problems. It will produce 60A @ 14.5V rather than the measly 18A @ 13V. Although I do have 110/95 H4 Hella's

, backing light, stereo, heater etc. Using the standard alterntor mount, the only thing you need to do is grind some metal off the mount on the water pump to align the pulleys.
I would never go back to a generator! And am very surprise that you Brits have such problems. Are you using those horrible Lucas ACR16 things?

Nb: These Mitsubisihi alternators will self excite over of 1500 RPM. So push starting is theoretically possible on a flat battery (just like a generator).

Regards

Grant

Post by **Welung666** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:49 am

forbesg wrote:So push starting is theoretically possible on a flat battery

Why push start when you have a starting handle?

Post by **ianselva** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:35 am

I put a Bath Minor centre Alternator kit on our Traveller and the first one had rubbing noises inside from the armature, but they sent a replacement and collected the old one next day. From then on it was no trouble during the following winter till we sold the car.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:45 am

It must be said, it was a nightmare; but then so was having my car struggle to start with a flat battery (or not start at all, even off the handle) after my housemate drove; and me having to switch the headlamps off every time I was sat in traffic.

I would like a much higher output alternator; if this one ever fails I will I think, research the possibilities for fitting something with somewhat more powerful alternator.

I've never had much luck with them though; my Golf used to eat one every year.... (some intermittent fault somewhere, I think, but I never could find it).