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new small alternator
Miks15 - 17/2/10 at 12:54 PM

I looking for a new smaller alternator to stick on my engine.

The BMW one is pretty big and probably a bit overkill for the car. So what should i be looking at for this? What rating do i need?

Cheers

Mikkel

l0rd - 17/2/10 at 01:15 PM

How many amps does the BMW have?

Try to think of all the electric thingies you took out from the loom such as elec. windows, heater etc...

Have a look at this. They do a 60amp one as well

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A073-5V-Nippon-Denso-Kit-Car-Lightweight-Alternator_W0QQitemZ390141086136QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20100109?IMSfp=TL1001092110002r613 5

[Edited on 17/2/10 by l0rd]

blakep82 - 17/2/10 at 01:24 PM

they're not cheap are they?

deezee - 17/2/10 at 01:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
they're not cheap are they?


You can pick up cheapo alternators off loads of jap cars. Cost around £40 2nd hand.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-COROLLA-1-4-ALTERNATOR-2002-4ZZ FE_W0QQitemZ120514954374

oadamo - 17/2/10 at 01:30 PM

anyone tryed using one of a motorbike, what are the shafts like, is it possible to bolt a pully on.
adam

tomgregory2000 - 17/2/10 at 01:52 PM

i bought one of those from local scrappie for £15, came off some dihatsu(sp) people carrier

r1_pete - 17/2/10 at 02:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by oadamo
anyone tryed using one of a motorbike, what are the shafts like, is it possible to bolt a pully on.
adam


Looked at that but I dont think the bearings would have taken the sideways loding of the belt under tension.

The diahatsu and kubota alternators are a popular choice.

flak monkey - 17/2/10 at 02:48 PM

The smallest I could find was the one from a 2.2 Honda prelude. Denso type, and very small, if you look through my duratec build you'll get the idea.

I paid £10 for one, freshly reconned....

I can get the lucas part number tonight if its helpful.

David

l0rd - 17/2/10 at 03:24 PM

Should i remind to people that the initial questions is about the rating of it?

flak monkey - 17/2/10 at 03:27 PM

Any alternator will supply enough juice. Even the smallest ones are 30A which is more than enough.

Miks15 - 17/2/10 at 04:20 PM

Ok cheers guys, will look at some of the jap ones.

So i dont need to worry about the ratings? Since the most it will be running is a few lights?

blakep82 - 17/2/10 at 04:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Miks15
So i dont need to worry about the ratings? Since the most it will be running is a few lights?


i wouldn't say so, no. i was thinking about this before. i got my engine from an astra or vectra, can't remember. it was from one, and going in the other before i bought it...

you think about everything the alternators got to do in a vectra. radio, electric windows, computers, ecu, ignition, all sorts of sensors, lights, rear window heaters, washers and wipers, fuel pump etc and charge the battery

whats it got to do in mine? lights, fuel pump, ignition... hmmm, i think thats it, until i put a windscreen in. it won't need to be very big at all (in terms of amps)
i'm keeping my standard one for now, but it sounds like its on its last legs. then i'll look at denso ones

franky - 17/2/10 at 04:38 PM

I've been looking at the same thing, Slightly worried about what an over smart ECU will do if its not seeing the current its looking for?

v8kid - 17/2/10 at 04:53 PM

ECU will only look at volts not current

Miks15 - 17/2/10 at 05:31 PM

flakmonkey,

Do you happen to have the dimensions of the preluda alternator to hand? theres one on ebay at a tenner at the minute which if it stays low price ill go for.

Cheers

Mikkel