RICHCAT7 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Hi looking to replace my alternator ,but think it has wrong one fitted to my 1990 crossflow only 29 amps ?should it be a 55a ?Hope someone out there knows ?Richcat7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 What sort of alternator is it?Do you need a 55 A alternator?What loads do you need to power?And extra alternator load will be less power to wheels, only a slight amount, but the every last ounce of effort thing espoused here by some comes into it.Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stridey Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 I took mine to a place in Elstree for diagnosis. It was replaced by a Capri part as the Caterham number didn't count me up on their files., with some ancillary shifted over in about 10mins. At the same time, do think about adding a cap/cover to the wires to fit into the clip, keeps damp and rain out I've found.Unit Exchange http://Unit Exchange 168 Aycliffe Rd, Borehamwood WD6 4EG 020 8953 9971 https://goo.gl/maps/UcME1tTVP7P2cost about £80 on exchange I seem to remember. May have been nearer £100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick T Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 HiI replaced mine last summer on my old car. Bit of a saga and a couple of pointers:It was around the 30 amp mark, you do not need any more (it is only a small battery).The Lucas one I had is no longer available. I went down the motor factors route and the replacement was too long and was very close to the 4 branch manifold. In the end Redline supplied one that fitted (did need a couple of washers though)If you are interested I still have the lucas one which you could get refurbished but a couple of weeks lead time.Hope this helpsNick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverSedlacek Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 The alternator needs to run lights, wipers, ignition, fuel pump, heated screen, cooling fan and have some juice left to charge the battery. 45A is about the smallest rating I would suggest as adequate for a road car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macquarie Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 The original supplied with my kit was a Valeo - 45 amp I believe. The last one I bought from Caterham was a magneton 55 amp. When that failed I took it to my local Alternator / Starter Motor repair place and he laughed saying that it was poor quality and unrepairable. He sold me what I believe was one of these: ebay item no. 231167694218.It is larger than the Valeo and a bit close to the exhaust but seems to have survived for over a year.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 And extra alternator load will be less power to wheels, only a slight amount, but the every last ounce of effort thing espoused here by some comes into it.Does an alternator with a higher maximum load take more to turn it at a given current?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverSedlacek Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I doubt the differences in absorbed power are measurable. A 45 amp alternator producing full output is chucking out 500W (ish, 2/3 of a BHP), which is obviously fixed. The power wasted in the windings, brushes and the like is going to be less than 0.1 BHP, and I doubt that it varies noticeably between bigger or smaller alternators. Disconnecting the alternator at full throttle does have some merit though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I doubt the differences in absorbed power are measurable.Agreed with that bit.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHCAT7 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 Thankyou all for your assistance,will tackle bennets this weekend !, should be interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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