Alternator

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Mon Nov 29, 04 10:00 pm

For the second time in 18 months my alternator and regulator have packed up, the auto spark that tested everything said that the wiring was ok. Should I.............
(a) get the same alternator and regulator as before

(b) get the alternator repaired and and buy a new regulator

(c) get an alternator with a built in regulator from a later car

Has anyone else had these sort of problems

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Mon Nov 29, 04 10:42 pm

the best way to go is an alternator off a later car , more amps with less parasitic demand . the besr ones are the late japanese units , anything from 65amp to 120 amp , i run one on the duster and when the 440 goes in i will run a 1 wire one to make it look good. are you running small or big block .

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Nov 30, 04 10:43 am

Trev, it's a big block, does that make a difference ?

Minty · Post by **Minty** » Tue Nov 30, 04 1:55 pm

Derek i got the alternator that came of the 440 i got off of dave,your welcome to it i f you want it

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Nov 30, 04 6:16 pm

Terry, sounds good to me, can you email or pm me with your address and phone number. cheers Derek

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Tue Nov 30, 04 7:27 pm

Derek , it makes no real difference only that i meke a real nice billet setup for bigblocks that puts a small jap alternator low down on the passenger side of the block. i have used a lot of these jap alternators on numerous cars and thay are verry good ( small light and dont go wrong).
its all down to what you want , originality or a more modern setup .

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Nov 30, 04 8:17 pm

Trev, i'll give Terry's one a go and if still iffy i'll go the jap way. I am fed up with low charging in the winter every time i go out... cheers

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Tue Nov 30, 04 10:56 pm

Derek, if you want to stay original, I bought a reconditioned correct Chrysler unit from USAutomotive (actually supplied by a company in the W Midlands, who I since learned are a bit cheaper if you deal direct). I think it was about ?100, which I thought was reasonable.

Have had no problems with it, and it chucks out plenty of charge. I love the look of those "birdcage" alternators - I couldn't bear to put a ricer unit on a 440!

As for the repeat failings - are you using the correct regulator for your alternator and ignition system? Just a thought.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Dec 01, 04 9:06 am

I am with Adam. The stock Chrysler system is very reliable indeed. You have either been very, very unlucky or something is not right.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Dec 01, 04 9:10 am

Come to think of it how can the alternator AND the regulator die? Sure you can be unlucky with the regulator because it is a transistor and I have replaced mine a couple of times. But the alternator has nothing in it to go wrong really. It is just a magnet with a big coil of wire. The diodes are pretty bullet proof. The only problem I have ever had with one is the output terminal coming loose. An easy fix. The bushes are easy to replace too.

I bet there is nothing wrong with your alternator at all.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Dec 01, 04 9:22 am

Thanks guys, it seems that something in the alternator shorted out the regulator, (so i've been told). I'm going to get another regulator in the next couple of days and try terry's alternator and see what happens

db · Post by db » Wed Dec 01, 04 9:47 am

Hmm dunno if it relates but 70's Suzuki bikes (GS's for those that know 'em) had a common problem that the regulator would start to fail ( it worked by dumping excess power to earth i think and a duff earth on the reg would usually be the start of the problem) thus allowing excess voltage to begin to fry the whole charging system.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Dec 01, 04 9:52 am

Derek wrote:Thanks guys, it seems that something in the alternator shorted out the regulator

Where? How? Don't make sense to me. The only thing in an alt that is not easy to fix is a breakdown in the insulation in one of the coils. That would not kill the regulator would it? In fact I can't think of anything the alt could do to kill the regulator.
Can anyone enlighten me? I thought I understood how these things work?

db · Post by db » Wed Dec 01, 04 9:59 am

My understanding is pretty limited but i agree with Dave, a dud Reg can kill the alternator but not the other way round!