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Tiny Alternator
chris-p-duck - 9/2/09 at 08:01 PM

Hi all!

I am trying to find a proper small alternator as I am really struggling for space around the front end of my Zetec. I currently have a corsa unit but I am going to struggle to fit that. So does anyone know of any really small alternators that dont cost the earth??

Thanks in advance........

Chris


James - 9/2/09 at 08:21 PM

The Nippon Denso one is commonly used.

I used one from a Bedford Rascal which is pretty small.

A 2CV one is also really small, especially as the regulator is a separate unit so can be mounted elsewhere where you have more room.

HTH,
James


Gary 7 - 9/2/09 at 08:36 PM

The smallest alternator i have come across is the 45 amp nippon denso fitted to small engined daihatsu cars.There are a few on ebay,but tend to be pricey compared to your local scrapyard.


theconrodkid - 9/2/09 at 08:37 PM

ive got one from a kubota digger,compact and cheap from the bay of fleas


mangogrooveworkshop - 9/2/09 at 08:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
ive got one from a kubota digger,compact and cheap from the bay of fleas


priceless


BenB - 9/2/09 at 09:04 PM

As said, small nippon denso units. 40-45A typically. Absolutely wheeny though!! Very cute (strangely, even nicer when all polished up, normally not into that polishing bling stuff as well!!!)....


clairetoo - 9/2/09 at 09:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
ive got one from a kubota digger,compact and cheap from the bay of fleas

Me too
Seems to be identical to the `motorsport` one's you see on various site's , at a third of the price

Edit to add - I've got one on an engine in the garage if you want any dimension's ?

[Edited on 9/2/09 by clairetoo]


blakep82 - 9/2/09 at 09:24 PM

the only kubota one i could find just now were all about £100... is that cheap?


whitestu - 9/2/09 at 09:24 PM

quote:

the only kubota one i could find just now were all about £100... is that cheap?



Mine was £30 last year.

Stu


clairetoo - 9/2/09 at 09:30 PM

Last one I bought was about £50 .


chris-p-duck - 10/2/09 at 07:14 AM

I had a quick look on e bay and there seemed to be a few on there but non mentioned size - so can I take you up on that offer for some dimensions please?

Thanks in advance...........

Chris


dunk3 - 10/2/09 at 07:42 AM

Hi chris i am useing a nippon denso on my zetec, have a look in my photos it might give you some idea of the size.


vinny1275 - 10/2/09 at 08:36 AM

I've got the Daihatsu / ND one as well. Main body is about 93mm iirc - take a look at my blog (link below) on fitting it, I remember putting pics and stuff in there when we fitted that one...

was about 35 quid on the bay as well....

Try and get one with the connectors, it makes life easier when wiring it in...

HTH

Vince


clairetoo - 10/2/09 at 09:46 PM

It's about 105mm dia , and 125mm long (excluding the pulley) . The mountings are 155 ctrs .


[img][/img]


greggors84 - 11/2/09 at 07:43 PM

I got mine out of a Suzuki Swift in the scrap yard. Indentical looking to the Nippon/Denso ones.

The motorsport ones they sell in Demon Tweeks are meant to be taken apart coated in special materials and rewound cores. Not sure how much is BS and how much accounts for the silly prices.

[Edited on 11/2/2009 by greggors84]


bob - 14/2/09 at 09:02 PM

alt link

as in claires pic


MkII - 14/2/09 at 09:35 PM

is the wiring/connections on these alternators compatable with the standard lucas acr one on my x flow. m.


nz_climber - 17/2/09 at 07:47 AM

Mine is a Nippon one from a 4A engine toyota (corolla) its about 70A and about 155mm between mounting holes. I will get a link to a website that has about 6 pages of different alternators, including sizes, vehicle, and capacity was pretty helpful in sorting out mine, will post up when I find the link


nz_climber - 18/2/09 at 06:12 AM

found the website, but you have to become a member now, so either do that, or send them an email and they should be able to help out with giving you the info you need..

aespares


t.j. - 10/7/09 at 07:21 AM

Found yesterday an alternator:

Description
Description


Can anyone tell me if the smallest one = suzuki swift will have enough to charge the battery?

Maybe someone knows which connections this one has in the back.
B+ is clear
D+ is (black white?) or (red white?)
- is (black white?) or (red white?)
Or should it have an extra minus?


t.j. - 11/7/09 at 07:32 AM

found it with search.

Next Question: Are there wider pulleys available? The Suzuki one is 3 V's and the Ford one is 6...


02GF74 - 26/7/09 at 06:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MkII
is the wiring/connections on these alternators compatable with the standard lucas acr one on my x flow. m.


pretty sure they are not.

IIRC, Flak Monkey posted link showing the different regulators fitted to these - I am searching for this at the mo'.

The lucas has 2 wires - big spade is the output; my tiny alt has bolt terminal so I made a ring tab from copper tube to allow me to fit the original wire without modifying it.

I have 2 other terminals, one is marked IGN.

I seem to recall the polarity for the charge lamp is reverse - that's gonna be a pain - but watch this space as to how I solve it.

The third terminal if memorroy serves me well is 12 V from the ignition switch - this would need another wire routed.

Again, watch this space for an update.

In photo below, you can see how I connected the fat charge wire, the other is left dangly until I know how to fitr it. Rescued attachment DSC04780.JPG
Rescued attachment DSC04780.JPG


t.j. - 27/7/09 at 07:41 PM

I found it.

B+ is clear (30)
- is clear (31)

I have the round connector with:
1 horizontal and 2 vertical connectors

This is the plan looking at the back of the alternator:
horizontal = nothing
right = + coming from the alternatorlamp
left = + coming from the ignition (15)

Will take a while to let you know if it works... first make the electricity complete...

Have now a 4 v pulley which will work together with 4PK1123 belt

02GF: I like the timingbelt


[Edited on 27/7/09 by t.j.]


02GF74 - 28/7/09 at 06:34 PM

... quick update.

charged battery (small gel one)- didn't need much charge which surprised me as it has been left sitting for quite a few months and connected wires to alternator.

Charge lamp (LED) does not come on unless the switched 12 V is connected to IGN on alternator (mine has 2 tags and the large B+ post).

next update will be when I get the engine running and hopefully to say that it charges plus the alt lamp goes off.


02GF74 - 29/7/09 at 08:27 AM

FAO tj

PS it's not timing belt - but for water pump and alternator.[img]http://locostbuilders.co.uk/upload/a991679-image001[1].jpg[/img]