S1 80" Alternator install and battery

Hi

I own a 1952 LR S1 80" 2L petrol currently stored and off the road. I'm
looking to get it back running again but want to make some changes to make
it better suited to regular use. One of these is fitting an alternator. Now
the current installation uses a very wide belt to drive the fan/water pump
and dynamo. Does anyone know of a supplier of a pulley that will fit a
Lucas 25ACR alternator to take this belt width? Also does anyone make a
bracket to mount such an alternator on this engine block?

Also I am going to install a larger than standard battery - problem is I'm
not able to get to the vehicle at the mo to measure the space in the
battery tray. I seem to remember I did put a 90Ah battery in there 20 some
odd years ago and it fitted behind the headlight shell OK but I could do
with a battery now for another job at home that can then end up on the S1
but don't want to buy one that won't fit - could someone stick their head
under the bonnet of their 80" and see what length/width/height of battery I
could get away with please!

Many thanks

Jay

Excuse me if this reply comes up twice, bit of a problem with Google,
but I've waited all day to see if my first reply appeared.

Anyway, I've did the alternator mod on my 1952 2l 80 some years ago so
I can't remember the details but I'm pretty certain the dynamo pulley
will fit a Lucas alternator as the shafts are the same diameter. As to
mounting it I used a length of threaded rod (studding) for the top
mounts with an appropriate number of nuts and probably a bit of tube as
a spacer. I can't remember if I used the original adjustment bar, but
it's a simple enough thing to make one of the right length. I did use
the original belt.

If you'd like some photos let me know, our front wings are off at the
moment so photography would be easy.

My 80 is a trialer and at the time had an electric fan which is why I
fitted the alternator. For a road going vehicle I don't think I'd
bother, the dynamo is quite adequate for the low electrical load on an
S1. My road going 86 (also with electric fan) is still on the dynamo
and I think is only on it's second battery in 15 years or so.

Gordon
(In Kent if you want to meet up)

In news:[email protected],
[email protected] <[email protected]> blithered:
> Excuse me if this reply comes up twice, bit of a problem with Google,
> but I've waited all day to see if my first reply appeared.
>
> Anyway, I've did the alternator mod on my 1952 2l 80 some years ago so
> I can't remember the details but I'm pretty certain the dynamo pulley
> will fit a Lucas alternator as the shafts are the same diameter. As to
> mounting it I used a length of threaded rod (studding) for the top
> mounts with an appropriate number of nuts and probably a bit of tube
> as a spacer. I can't remember if I used the original adjustment bar,
> but it's a simple enough thing to make one of the right length. I did
> use the original belt.
>
> If you'd like some photos let me know, our front wings are off at the
> moment so photography would be easy.
>
> My 80 is a trialer and at the time had an electric fan which is why I
> fitted the alternator. For a road going vehicle I don't think I'd
> bother, the dynamo is quite adequate for the low electrical load on an
> S1. My road going 86 (also with electric fan) is still on the dynamo
> and I think is only on it's second battery in 15 years or so.
>
> Gordon
> (In Kent if you want to meet up)

I seem to recall alternators run faster than dynamos so one needs a smaller dia'
pulley.

--
"He who says it cannot be done should not interrupt her doing it."

If at first you don't succeed,
maybe skydiving's not for you!

[email protected] wrote in news:1121786108.728127.219180
@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> Excuse me if this reply comes up twice, bit of a problem with Google,
> but I've waited all day to see if my first reply appeared.
>
> Anyway, I've did the alternator mod on my 1952 2l 80 some years ago so
> I can't remember the details but I'm pretty certain the dynamo pulley
> will fit a Lucas alternator as the shafts are the same diameter. As to
> mounting it I used a length of threaded rod (studding) for the top
> mounts with an appropriate number of nuts and probably a bit of tube as
> a spacer. I can't remember if I used the original adjustment bar, but
> it's a simple enough thing to make one of the right length. I did use
> the original belt.
>
> If you'd like some photos let me know, our front wings are off at the
> moment so photography would be easy.
>
> My 80 is a trialer and at the time had an electric fan which is why I
> fitted the alternator. For a road going vehicle I don't think I'd
> bother, the dynamo is quite adequate for the low electrical load on an
> S1. My road going 86 (also with electric fan) is still on the dynamo
> and I think is only on it's second battery in 15 years or so.
>
> Gordon
> (In Kent if you want to meet up)
>
>

Hi

Thanks for the information - I'll be honest I haven't looked closely but
can imagine what you mean although another poster mentioned about the
speed and I seem to remember alternators having smaller drive pulleys? I
guess on the need front I'd probably not push it too much but I did fit
Hella halogen replacement headlamps, a pair of Cibie Oscar+ and a small
electric winch to the land rover when it was last on the road 20+ years
ago and have found the battery takes a bit to recover to as I was going
to spend some time fettling I thought I'd do some mods at the same time.
But it does start a treat on the handle so I could always fall back on
that!

Jay
(In sunny Shropshire)

GbH wrote:

> In news:[email protected],
> [email protected] <[email protected]> blithered:
>> Excuse me if this reply comes up twice, bit of a problem with Google,
>> but I've waited all day to see if my first reply appeared.
>>
>> Anyway, I've did the alternator mod on my 1952 2l 80 some years ago so
>> I can't remember the details but I'm pretty certain the dynamo pulley
>> will fit a Lucas alternator as the shafts are the same diameter. As to
>> mounting it I used a length of threaded rod (studding) for the top
>> mounts with an appropriate number of nuts and probably a bit of tube
>> as a spacer. I can't remember if I used the original adjustment bar,
>> but it's a simple enough thing to make one of the right length. I did
>> use the original belt.
>>
>> If you'd like some photos let me know, our front wings are off at the
>> moment so photography would be easy.
>>
>> My 80 is a trialer and at the time had an electric fan which is why I
>> fitted the alternator. For a road going vehicle I don't think I'd
>> bother, the dynamo is quite adequate for the low electrical load on an
>> S1. My road going 86 (also with electric fan) is still on the dynamo
>> and I think is only on it's second battery in 15 years or so.
>>
>> Gordon
>> (In Kent if you want to meet up)
>
> I seem to recall alternators run faster than dynamos so one needs a
> smaller dia' pulley.
>
Alternators don't NEED to run faster - they can run at a higher speed, so
manufacturers take advantage of this to gear them so that they charge at an
idle. If you use the dynamo pulley you will find that the charge at an idle
is pretty low, but that is all.
It is not good practice to use the dashboard ammeter with an alternator, and
the wiring may not be up to it, and in any case the voltage drop will
ensure low charge rates compared to what the alternator is capable of.
Either fit a shunt meter or dispense with an ammeter and fit a voltmeter.
Run a heavy lead direct to the battery from the alternator.
JD