Alternator

[Gabs]

So I been looking at some options on a new alternator for my bus. Currently alternator went pop but don’t ask how. I reckon it’s a 55 amp alternator but seen a 75 and 90 amp upgrades. What I’m reading just need to make sure wiring good on bus so mine was re-wired about 10 yrs back now.
What’s pro and con’s between 75&90 alternator.

 

[creationblue]

Just go for the cheapest, no point having high output unless you have dozens of electrical/electronics in the van, they also wear belts quicker, trust me I know lol

Worth ringing Bristol Auto Electrical to see what they say about re-winding yours, and Sparx whilst your at it

 

[sparkywig]

Unless you're running high output spot lights, or a massive sound system with amps and sub woofers, a standard 55A alternator will be more than adequate.
As Justin says the higher the output the more it wears belts and saps the engines power.

 

[Gabs]

Just go for the cheapest, no point having high output unless you have dozens of electrical/electronics in the van, they also wear belts quicker, trust me I know lol

Worth ringing Bristol Auto Electrical to see what they say about re-winding yours, and Sparx whilst your at it

Going to order a new one then may recon mine for a backup. All spares help.

 

[Gabs]

Unless you're running high output spot lights, or a massive sound system with amps and sub woofers, a standard 55A alternator will be more than adequate.
As Justin says the higher the output the more it wears belts and saps the engines power.

Thanks for the advise makes sence.

 

[fallingoffalot]

Hey Gabs, are you 100% yours is knackered? Could it be something else?

 

[Gabs]

Hey Gabs, are you 100% yours is knackered? Could it be something else?

Definitely fallingoffalot I have run meter of the battery and just running 12.44volts and checked wire from starter solenoid and the same. I will keep old as ordered a new one of JK.

 

[K@rlos]

Get yourself a 55amp from power lite. Million times better than the generic Chinese shite the usual suspects all sell.

75 is only required if you’re running lots of additional electrics like gauges, fuel pumps, after market ignition or big stereos etc.

 

[Gabs]

I fitted a JK one when I got home from work today but now can’t get my belt to tighten. all shims are removed but still loose. Are there different sizes ?

 

[pgtips]

Give JK a call. Probably need a new belt
Either way they'll know.

 

[ozziedog]

Ring me bud, I might have a plan.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,hopefully

 

[naskeet]

Get yourself a 55amp from power lite. Million times better than the generic Chinese shite the usual suspects all sell.

75 is only required if you’re running lots of additional electrics like gauges, fuel pumps, after market ignition or big stereos etc.

Gauges draw very little power, of which a few are almost essential for the 1968~79 VW Type 2s; especially those with the VW 13/1600 Type 1 Beetle style air-cooled engine, whose cooling system relies upon the integrity & non-slippage of the V-belt and non-seizure of the dynamo or alternator shaft bearings.

If the V-belt breaks or the bearings seize, one needs clear, emphatic warning that the cooling system has FAILED catastrophically and one needs to promptly bring the vehicle to a halt and STOP the engine, before that also seizes or is otherwise severely damaged!

Whilst driving on the M25 motorway in April 1991, I experienced alternator-shaft seizure, of which I was initially warned by illumination of the ignition warning-light, followed by the extremely rapid rise in the cylinder-head temperature gauge reading, which increased by at least 100ºC in the time it took me to coast to a halt on the hard shoulder. The oil-temperature gauge reading had not perceptibly changed.

Smoke was billowing out the high-level air-intake vents, so I gingerly opened the engine-compartment hatch, with Swordsman 1•5 kg BCF fire extinguisher in hand, to be greeted by a collection of charred fragments that had been the V-belt! I received training in their use in the chemistry laboratory at university in 1975 and during a general internal course in 1988 re fires & fire-extinguishers in the Fulmer Yarsley fire-test section. They were still in common use in 1991 by the Army Fire Service - later amalgamated to form the Defense Fire & Rescue Service.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Fire_Service

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Fire_and_Rescue_Service

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-fire-risk-management-organisation

https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/34691-cvrt-scorpionscimitar-fire-extinguishers/

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/best-car-extinguisher-type.78439/

This was one of several reasons why my father and I chose to upgrade our 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 with a VW 17/1800 Type 4 style hybrid air-cooled engine.