Section : Electrical Equipment

Alternators, dynamos, lights, wipers, etc.

High output alternator

Posted By : Tom Longley, 01-Jul-2007, 09:12pm

Has anyone had experience of fitting a high-output alternator from Canley Classiscs?

I have fitted one to my car today, in place of the previous Lucas alternator, which has worked fine for the last twelve years. I thought I had wired it up correctly but something is clearly very wrong as it gets hot without the engine running!

I have left the car at its lock up with the battery disconnected. I have checked the wiring diagram that came with the alternator and I cannot see what I've done wrong (terminals A and D are connected together, B goes to the warning light, and the heavy brown wire is connected to D). As I say it has successfuly had an alternator for the last 12 years (but now needs replacing) so the control box bridging wiring that I did at the time must be ok.

Can anyone tell me of their experience of fitting this item?

I will of course contact Canley tomorrow but if anyone knows a trick to the wiring, or if I've missed something, then please let me know.

Regards,

Tom

Followups :

High output alternator

Posted By : Mark Hammond, 01-Jul-2007, 09:59pm

It sounds to me that the new alternator that you have got is faulty, I assume that the terminals on it are in the same place and are the same shape and size as the old one?

Mark
- High output alternator
  
  Posted By : Tom Longley, 01-Jul-2007, 10:21pm
  
  The new alternator has a different arrangement of terminals to the Lucas one, but I followed the wiring diagram that came with it. I cannot see why its not working, so you may well be right, perhaps it is faulty....
  
  Regards,
  
  Tom
  - High output alternator
    
    Posted By : Barry Huffer, 02-Jul-2007, 12:55pm
    
    Speak to Dave Pearson before you do anything rash. Also I recall something about alternators having more than one way of sensing current being passed (or something like that) which effects the use of the terminals but I can't remember the details.
    
    I am sure somebody will provide the details or correct me.
    
    Incidentally BL used an uprated alternator that was the same dimensions as the 18ACR. Have a look at or contact http://www.alternatormart.co.uk/index.html , I have found them very helpful.
    - High output alternator
      
      Posted By : Tom Longley, 02-Jul-2007, 01:26pm
      
      I contacted Canley by phone this morning and they said that they're going to e-mail me later today.
      
      Thanks for the link to alternatormart; they seem to know their stuff. I hope I don't have to use them though, as I'd like to get satisfaction with the Canley alternator. It looks like a good quality item and it promises to deliver much more power than the old Lucas one. I'll let you know how I get on....
      
      Regards,
      
      Tom
      - High output alternator
        
        Posted By : Tom Longley, 03-Jul-2007, 10:53pm
        
        Just to let you know, Canley got back to me, exactly as promised, and they sent me a photo of the wiring of a working example of the alternator. The wiring is different to that shown in the instructions; I have now adjusted the wiring on mine and it appears to be working now.
        
        Regards,
        
        Tom
        
        PS: This puts me a step nearer Stafford!