The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

hi all
finally,looking to upgrade my alternator to a bigger one 18acr 65amp output,my dolly is standard wiring setup,,will i need fused relays for the headlights and what else(if any)also needs upgrading

thanks nic

Why not 75amp whilst you're at it? Look at this on eBay  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321064957050

Sent from my HTC

ok,listing says its dont fit my car,but its looks the same as mine
will i need to upgrade anything else?

gone for the 65amp alternator,,,hurry up postman(dont drop it)

It might be an idea to upgrade the alternator output wire from the miserable 28/012 lead that was standard on our cars. 65 amps on a wire designed to handle only 35 might get it a bit warm otherwise. Forget the connecting block and run it direct from the alternator to the solenoid.

Steve

so,direct feed from alternator to solenoid and what do i do with the brown lead? isolate it?

tamtrucks wrote:so,direct feed from alternator to solenoid and what do i do with the brown lead? isolate it?

I think you will find one end of the old lead is at the alternator and the other goes into a 4 way connector on the N/S flitch. Pull that and the old wire becomes redundant.

Steve

thanks for that carledo,nice one

Not sure about the 1300 alternator but the 1850 one has two large connectors with thick brown wires and one small one. The small one is the IGN warning light. The middle one is the high current output one and goes to the 4-way connector block by the battery + lead. On early 18ACR alternators the 2nd large connector is the "sense" lead that sends the battery voltage back to the alternator . This also goes to that 4-way connector block. On later alternators the current capacity of a single large connector was not deemed sufficient so the 2 large connectors were both used in parallel to convey the higher current to the electrical system. The " sense" was then arranged internally to the alternator to get the correct voltage at the battery.
Ref; Sprint workshop manual 86-11 & 12.
I'll see if I can find the reference for the later alternators.
Tony.

my new alternator 65amp has 3 terminals plug type

If you fit a nice thick cable to either of the large spades in the plug it will be fine. You can get a new plug for this type of Lucas alternator from most motor factors, complete with correct spade terminals for a couple of quid.

Steve

what size cable would be best?