Ade B Posted March 9, 2007 Report Posted March 9, 2007 Really doing my head in now! All I want is a decent alternator for my pinto, but I seem to be killing one every few months! Used ones just die within a month or two.... usually just putting out piss poor voltage. Recon ones from Motor factors just fall apart! (I've been through 4 or 5 of these!) My latest idea was an eBay recon one which is now rattling and kicking out 16volts+ and cooking the battery! The engine redlines at 6500RPM, higher than standard (but not excactly crazy revs)..... wonder if that's contributing to the untimely deaths? Anyway, anyone know a better source of quality alternators?
john_3.0s Posted March 9, 2007 Report Posted March 9, 2007 Maybe you need to chgange the pully size to slow reduct the alt rpm a bit? otherwise I know that overtightning the belt will wear the bearings but that obviously does not accound for the voltage regulators going bonkers. I hope you got your money back on the new units as they should be under warranty for a few months....
Ade B Posted March 9, 2007 Author Report Posted March 9, 2007 That sounds like it could be a good idea fitting a larger pulley.... Yeah got replacements or money back on the new units, still mega pain in the arse to just know that each one is destined to die very soon..... But at least each one dies in a different way so as to keep me entertained
Admin Vista Posted March 9, 2007 Admin Report Posted March 9, 2007 Odd, mine gets revved to that sort of level all the time and I haven't had a problem. I've been running a 55Amp one I got off a P100 in a breakers yard for the best part of 18 months now
V8ian Posted March 9, 2007 Report Posted March 9, 2007 Have you a Battery kill switch fitted in the system?? and if you have, do you ever turn it off with the engine running??
Ade B Posted March 9, 2007 Author Report Posted March 9, 2007 No kill switch, little more than standard electrics... just a Kenlowe and a small install (single sub). To be honest I don't think the problem lies with the car..... high revs, or the high annual mileage, it's all down to shoddy spares!
bortaf Posted March 9, 2007 Report Posted March 9, 2007 you sure your not over tighening the belt? that will kill the bearings, something aint right mate i've had my S/H alt for 3 years and it stood for 6 years in me garage before that, i have fitted double pullys to the pinto though so i can not do the belt as tight
Ade B Posted March 9, 2007 Author Report Posted March 9, 2007 I did think that, but then tried fitting them more loosely but ended up with a constant screeching belt. No, def don't fit them too tight.....
60ftman Posted March 9, 2007 Report Posted March 9, 2007 I went through loads when I built the Escy. I bought a 'racing' alternator for more than the national debt of Zimbabwe, had it rebuilt three times in as many months at more than the national debt of Lithuania each time. Eventually threw it away. Ended up fitting a second-hand Lucas unit from a scrap Metro. Five years on and still charging...........
alladdin Posted March 9, 2007 Report Posted March 9, 2007 I went through loads when I built the Escy. I bought a 'racing' alternator for more than the national debt of Zimbabwe that will be a daihatsu charade one from demonthieves then .....
Ade B Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Posted March 10, 2007 Ended up fitting a second-hand Lucas unit from a scrap Metro. Well I got one, and not far off that either! Ended up going to Lucas who tried to sell me a wrong handed V6 unit for my pinto..... (only thing they had listed for a capri! ) Got them to sell me a Rover 214 unit which is exactly right plus it puts out 10 AMPs more than the standard pinto one! £50 and looks like a quality bit of kit, here's hoping it stays in one piece!
Admin Vista Posted March 10, 2007 Admin Report Posted March 10, 2007 Interesting, it's a bolt on, same connector and everything? What ampage does it give and what year 214?
Ade B Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Posted March 10, 2007 Yeah identical! Used a scrappy one before and swapped the pulley..... this one even had the right pulley on it! 55AMP as opposed to 45AMP, and it was for a pre 92 model I'm sure
bortaf Posted March 11, 2007 Report Posted March 11, 2007 Just use a granny/sierra EFI Ghia alt, straight bolt on and higher amps than normal pinto alts but used bolt on terminals so some crimping needed If the alts is wrong handed just unbolt the front and rear and move the casing round
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