Busy trying to get my car into good shape and it seems to be one step forward and one step back most of the time.
The battery went flat in January and I traced the problem to a broken wire at the solenoid which effectively meant that the alternator was disconnected. I mended the wire, recharged the battery and went on my merry way. I almost never drive at night and not often in the rain and so did not realise until quite recently that the alternator is not still not feeding the car or charging the battery - flat again!
I took the alternator off and the brushes are low-ish but I'd be surprised if that was the problem. Am I likely to have damaged the regulator or rectifier by having had the wire disconnected from the solenoid previously?
Anyway, the next conundrum is what alternator do I have. The manual says it should be a Lucas type 11AC but it's not one of them because the brush assembly is wrong. The brushes look the same as a type 16ACR but I'm not sure how to tell as there is no code number on the unit at all. I have looked at pictures on the net but mine looks different. Every moulded cover I have seen is black but mine is red and a different shape.
I'm coming to the conclusion that I don't have an original alternator and wiring set up anyway so why not just upgrade the whole unit - an 18ACR puts out a good deal more power which could be good if I want to add a few more bits to the car.
Anyone upgraded and have some words of wisdom? I'd greatly appreciate advice.
Thanks
Steve
The battery went flat in January and I traced the problem to a broken wire at the solenoid which effectively meant that the alternator was disconnected. I mended the wire, recharged the battery and went on my merry way. I almost never drive at night and not often in the rain and so did not realise until quite recently that the alternator is not still not feeding the car or charging the battery - flat again!
I took the alternator off and the brushes are low-ish but I'd be surprised if that was the problem. Am I likely to have damaged the regulator or rectifier by having had the wire disconnected from the solenoid previously?
Anyway, the next conundrum is what alternator do I have. The manual says it should be a Lucas type 11AC but it's not one of them because the brush assembly is wrong. The brushes look the same as a type 16ACR but I'm not sure how to tell as there is no code number on the unit at all. I have looked at pictures on the net but mine looks different. Every moulded cover I have seen is black but mine is red and a different shape.
I'm coming to the conclusion that I don't have an original alternator and wiring set up anyway so why not just upgrade the whole unit - an 18ACR puts out a good deal more power which could be good if I want to add a few more bits to the car.
Anyone upgraded and have some words of wisdom? I'd greatly appreciate advice.
Thanks
Steve
