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An Alternate Alternator?

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Dale,

VTR did do a very good "how to" several years ago. At least I believe it was VTR. I have visited a number of BB forums dealing with Triumph's since 1989.

Since you are retired, perhaps you can do a search for "Triumph TR6 alternator conversion" and report back to us on the "How to" :>

Gotta go, got six dead ones to inspect this am.
 
thanx ppl for everyones input!

Is it ok to rebuild an existing Lucus alternator to have a higher output?
 
Ron,

I'd be more than happy to do this.
I changed out my alternator with the help
of the folks here on the forum.

https://good-times.webshots.com/album/553730722JByxoE

I took hundreds of photos ( as usual) and I could
easily put together a "How To"

I believe a good "How To" has photos, not just describing
text.

WIKI does not accept pdf files and it takes me a lot of
time to author a "How to. It is almost a waste of my time
to float a "how to" on the internet when they are really written for the members here.

My trailing arm essay in Mircosoft Word is over
100 meg in file size. 3 meg in pdf.

On the other hand, I really know almost nothing about
Triumph mechanical stuff. Maybe the guru experts are the
ones should be writing articles for us know nothings" to
use?

Just a thought /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif

d
 
I just ordered a 1978-1980 Ford Fiesta (55 amp Bosch style) alternator earlier this week and expect to install it next week. They range from $49. with a $22. core fee (but were out of stock) to $109. with a $15. core fee. I purchased it online for about $73. no core fee, delivered.

I'll have an update when it's completed.
 
kodanja said:
...

Is it ok to rebuild an existing Lucus alternator to have a higher output?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can increase the output by using a higher capacity stator, and/or rotor. However, the achilles heel in the Lucas alternator is the rectifier assembly. It's barely adequate for the the amperage as it comes stock. Increasing the output would doom it to a very short life. The rectifiers we are currently being supplied at work are better then the originals, but because of space limitations, their capacity is only slightly increased. All this means is that they are now adequate for the stock amperage. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif

If you need more output because of added electrical requirements, get an alternator that is designed for higher output rather then trying to beat a dead horse. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thirsty.gif
 
Dale,

Please email them to me and I'll try a conversion of sorts to see of that will work.
 
Yes, a higher output alternator has the <u>potential</u> to draw more horsepower from your engine. If you utilize all of the capability of a 100 amp alternator several horsepower will be required to spin it. One horsepower is required to produce a little over 700 watts (58 amps at 12 volts). With system losses the actual crankshaft horsepower required is actually somewhat higher.
Long answer to a short question.
Skip
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif However, the extra drag on the engine only happens when the alternator is actually putting out more current. It takes essentially the same power to spin a 60 amp alternator with a 30 amp load as it does a 30 amp alternator with a 30 amp load.
 
Paul,

I cannot e-mail a 100 meg document thru my server.
That's why pdf format was invented.

WIKI will remain a small document, text only format
in it's present configuration.

I do in fact author technical "How Tos" for some of
my clients. Without the photo explanations they are
all but worthless. Photo gobble up file size, even when properly sized and editied.

dale
 
Hello all,

what sort of accessories do those who have fitted higher output alternators have installed, as my Triumph has no charging problems at all with the standard alternator(and that is with a Lucas injection fuel pump running full time)?

In other words what is the gain of a larger unit?

Alec
 
Alec, I for one have a large, high-output 16" fan (no crank fan) plus halogen head lights and fog lights, both which I run all the time. My old Lucas alternators (went through 2 new-rebuilt) just couldn't keep up. Always had weak headlights and running lights as well as battery charging problems. A big jump for me from 38 amps to 66+ amps.
 
There are various reasons you might want more charging capacity, but I'll present the one that convinced me. In simple terms, I needed the battery to be recharged very quickly after a (difficult) cold start, and with headlights, wiper and heater all running full blast. Below freezing weather works in many ways to make starting harder on batteries : thick oil makes the engine harder to crank; car batteries are less efficient; cold fuel doesn't atomize or evaporate well; lower cylinder temperatures make the fuel harder to light; etc.

I was working second shift 10-15 miles away, so the stock charging system just never had a chance to bring the battery back up. The car was stored outdoors with no mains power available, so putting a charger on for any length of time was impractical. I could run a (long) cord to it, but it took a long time for my little 10 amp charger to bring it up enough to start.

And I got tired of having to push the car (by myself) every midnight to go home from work !

After hanging a 60 amp Ford alternator on, I never had a dead battery again. It wouldn't necessarily fully recharge the battery on my short commute to work; but it would come close enough that the car would always start.
 
Hey cuz,Give me a few days and I'll see if I can dig up some info for you. I sub contract with 8 different inspection companies, and have to email a slew of pictures daily. Some of these companies use free(trial) picture file transfer programs. So when I get some free time I'll see what info I can forward to you. Might find some of it helpful.

Aloha
 
TR6BILL said:
Alec, I for one have a large, high-output 16" fan (no crank fan) plus halogen head lights and fog lights, both which I run all the time. My old Lucas alternators (went through 2 new-rebuilt) just couldn't keep up. Always had weak headlights and running lights as well as battery charging problems. A big jump for me from 38 amps to 66+ amps.
Click to expand...

That alone is reason 1 and all you need to know!
 
Ok well I ordered an 55A Bosch/Ford Fiesta unit, should be here sometime next week.
Can ya tell me how different the wiring harness is from the original Lucas clips?
 
Bill,

I don't think that it's different at all. The plug in the back "supposedly" plugs right in, from what others have said and it allegedly bolts right on.
 
kewl that will save alot of time trying to remanufacture any type of harness or mounting bracket.
Ill let ya know how it works out!
 
Did you order the pulley with it. Not all come with the sale
 
Depends on what your current connections look like.
 
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