dynamo to alternator. any advice.

[steve92]

hello all. been having dynamo issues on way to and from vanfest. the generator light came on while finding somewhere to park up on friday and was on for the early part of the journey home.also last week when i got the bus out of the garage the gen light wouldnt go off. i obviously have a problem developing, so am thinking it would be better to swap to an alternator. can anyone recommend a particular kit, as many people seem to do them.

 

[Araon]

sure its not just a slipping belt that needs adjusting

 

[steve92]

had a look before we set off home today when the engine was running and the belt didnt seem to be slipping.also we did about 40 miles with the gen light on which im assuming would have cooked the engine. will have a look tommorrow to see how much it deflects though.

 

[noddy]

Hi

I had exactly the same problem with my van when I first got it, it turned out to be that the brushes had worn out (black graphite thing with small wire attached under clip to and bottom, can be seen through holes just behind pulley), got 2 new ones from vwheritage and never had a problem since, they only cost a few quid. Bit fiddly to fit but a lot cheaper than an alternator conversion.

Bentley manual Electrical section 6.5, or haynes page 140 to 147.

Hope this helps

Ian

 

[steve92]

cheers guys. just had a look and the belt has about twice the deflection it should! lucky i havent toasted the engine! will stick a new belt on and see what happens.

 

[steve92]

Hi

I had exactly the same problem with my van when I first got it, it turned out to be that the brushes had worn out (black graphite thing with small wire attached under clip to and bottom, can be seen through holes just behind pulley), got 2 new ones from vwheritage and never had a problem since, they only cost a few quid. Bit fiddly to fit but a lot cheaper than an alternator conversion.

Bentley manual Electrical section 6.5, or haynes page 140 to 147.

Hope this helps

Ian

just put a new belt on and the gen light refuses to go out, so ill be trying this next.cheers for the tip ian.

 

[Araon]

have you re tensioned the belt? using the shims

 

[steve92]

yep all tensioned up.

 

[cyberdyne systems]

The problem could be the regulator also, check all the wiring to make sure nothing has come loose, the brushes are cheap and easy so try them first.

One way of seeing if the generator is working is to try to re-polarize it, if it was defective this test wouldnt work, that leaves the regulator/wiring.

Go to here to see how to do this: http://www.megabug.co.uk/tips.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gareth

 

[steve92]

brushes didnt sort it, so have ordered an alternator conversion kit. checked the reg wiring and it seemed ok.had been looking at an alternator as an upgrade anyway. am just peeved that this weekend looks like being the best all year and my bus is layed up in the garage!

 

[noddy]

Hi

Sorry to hear that the brushes didn't work. Does the light go out if the engine is reved?

Could be quite a few thing, windings gone inside gen, regulator, connections etc.

Let me know how you get on with the alternator once fitted.

Ian

 

[steve92]

on our way to vf really and i mean really! heavy reving got the light out.on the way home it went out on the motorway, but now it refuses to go out however hard you rev it! hopefully the alternator will sort it.will keep you posted on progress.cheers ian.