Dodgy alternator

[pitzey]

Well after thinking my battery was on the way out , it seems its the new alternator that was fitted thats on the blink.

12.6v before start up then drops to 12.3 whilst running, can anyone recommend a good place to get one....

regards paul

[Seaking]

Try mini spares on ebay 80amp

[V Mad]

Sorry, but I do get concerned that fitting alternators of nearly twice original the current rating could cause problems unless the wiring is also uprated. It is safer to stick to 45amps unless you get the wiring uprated properly.
Just my opinion.

[pitzey]

What i am confused about is this is a 18acr alternator which will fit my sprint as well, 45amp.... its not charging the battery at all , and its been on the car for 3 months now , i did notice that amp meter would sometimes jump to 15v whilst driving , then over the last few weeks it has got worse , it was under 12v on saturday and i was lucky to get her home ok. as soon as i parked up .... turned ignition on and nothing .

[V Mad]

Sounds like an intermittent fault. I had one like that, but luckily it was just a loose wire inside. Worth checking before you bin it.

[pitzey]

Will do , james who is a forum member on here is coming over one night this week so will have a good look then ...

[Staggard]

Try mini spares on ebay 80amp

+1 4 years down the line and no sign of a meltdown as yet

[richard w]

Hi Paul

I've recently (about 2 weeks ago) had to replace my alternator. Obviously as mine is RV8 it may not be the same as yours, but I got it from Malvern Auto Spares (no connection etc). They deal mainly with the motor trade but also sell to non-trade (just most people don't know about them and go to Halfrauds instead). I see you're in Gloucester, so not too far away, but you've probably got similar parts places there.

Hope you get it sorted

Richard

[jeffsstag]

hi mate its jeff,before you strip it all down put a jump lead on the negative battery terminal and the other end on the alternator BODY then check your reading,this will eliminate a bad engine earth,if it charges you will need to clean earths up

[andy p]

ive just had mine do the same as yours last week, took it apart fitted a new regulator, job done

[73stagman]

I have a spare regulator sitting in a box of spares for my car. I had an alternator that initially had a duff regulator. I did nothing about it until the light stayed on all the time except at idle(???) so then I bought a new regulator. By the time it had arrived the alternator broke down completely and stopped charging altogether. Then I had to buy a new one. Got it next day delivery from Accuspark. 45amp 18ACR. before the new regulator turned up!!!
I don't believe there is any need for anything "bigger" as there is not that much draw on these cars. (Unless you also have electric water pump, twin speed cooling fan, big amplifier sound system, multiple head lamp mods...... etc etc etc)

[pitzey]

Cheers guys

[pitzey]

Hi Jeff , as the negative lead form the battery attaches to the alternator i assume you would disconnect that first and then attach the jump lead as i just tried it woth the earth strap still attached and nothing... its still the same

[pitzey]

another interesting thing .... the ignition light did not come on to warn me the battery was dying

[Dave M]

+1 4 years down the line and no sign of a meltdown as yet

+2 From me as I've had 3 alternators go down in the last year all with low mileage, 2 on the Stag and 1 on the Commer, turns out they were all of Chinese origin and were crap. Bought 2 of the sort recommended by Graham (Staggard) and they work fine, one of mine that failed didnt bring the red light on either.