Wosp High Output Alternator Failure

[SwissSteve]

Had an interesting issue with my Wosp high output alternator.

About a month back I noticed a strange squealing noise coming from the alternator
which only occured the first 5 minutes of running. On the recommendation
of this forum I checked the belt tension and it seemed to improve it.

A week later, the noise was back but now occuring all the time. It turned
out to be the bearings on the alternater. On fitting a replacement, I notice
that the relocation bracket had snapped ( See photo attached ) the alternator was
being held on by one bolt only!!

So if anyone else is having such alternator problems, better to check it sooner rather
than later.

Credit where credit is due, E J Wards have replaced both items free of charge even though
they are now 1 year out of warrently. Great service from E J Ward, thanks guys.

[Motorcycle mad]

Hi Steve

Looking at the small square bracket which has broken off, suggests it was not welded on correctly, welds of this type should be done on both sides of the metal to give the weld strength, (and even a web could have been added for more strength). The weld on this bracket weakened allowed the alternator belt to come loose, slip and wind, you then adjusted the alternator belt not realising the bracket weld was giving way, this subsequently put more load on the weld until the bracket broke off completely, which then put additional loading onto the other part of the bracket until that in turn broke away.

Any rate you have it sorted, so that’s the main thing.

Ken

[SwissSteve]

Hi Steve

Looking at the small square bracket which has broken off, suggests it was not welded on correctly, welds of this type should be done on both sides of the metal to give the weld strength, (and even a web could have been added for more strength). The weld on this bracket weakened allowed the alternator belt to come loose, slip and wind, you then adjusted the alternator belt not realising the bracket weld was giving way, this subsequently put more load on the weld until the bracket broke off completely, which then put additional loading onto the other part of the bracket until that in turn broke away.

Any rate you have it sorted, so that’s the main thing.

Ken

thanks for the analysis. the supplier reckoned the alternator bearings went
putting load on the bracket. but either way I am pleased to have it rectified.