anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

[tomothy94]

if so... how easy was it to do? any different to fitting the minor one? i only ask because i cannot afford to pay the ridiculous prices of the alternator conversation kit when i've been offered the bracket, fan belt and alternator for 25 quid! the only part i think i'll need is the wire that goes from the alternator to the solenoid :/

[bmcecosse]

Yes of course - it fits perfectly. But £25 is far too much......I usually only pay £1 for them at autojumbles, although that was a couple of years ago now. You obviously need to make sure the car is NEGATIVE EARTH - and modify the wiring to suit. See the simple diagram at the top of Electrical section.

[tomothy94]

i know they can be bought for much cheaper from such places, it is just that there are none near me, and i want the alternator set up and ready for next thursday! the main worry i have is the alternator wiring harness - is the one for the mini the same as the moggy? or at least, will it fit?
also yes, the car is negative earth. i know i have to modify the wiring somewhat, but it doesnt seem too difficult - the main thing is this cable i'm looking for! i'm hoping the man who's selling me the alternator will have one kicking about that will fit.

[bmcecosse]

There's no problem with 'the cable' - in fact you can use the Minor wires - just fit the necessary Lucar connectors on the ends.

[tomothy94]

i was told that putting such a high current through the original minor cables would overload them and cause possible fire.. which i obviously don't want, but i'm not sure.. i suppose it depends on the output of the alternator. i'm hoping for 45a and i imagine passing 45a through wires that have been used to around 17a for the past 42 years isn't the best idea... also, as you are possibly the most knowledgeable person around here.. does an alternator charge all the time, including during idle?

[bmcecosse]

See above - unless you are planning loads of additional lighting - the alt will never deliver 45 amps for more than a few seconds ........ so don't worry about the cable until you fit the lights!

[tomothy94]

i was never planning on adding additional lighting to be honest - in fact, i wasn't going to add anything really. maybe some more powerful speakers but they're only 40w, so that is only 3amps. i have worked out that i'll only need around 30amps at any given time from the alternator... therefore, you think i can use the wires i already have? if so then that's excellent.

[bmcecosse]

Even your 40 w speakers are really only a peak rating - so power consumption is negligible. You won't need anything like 30 amps ! Yes - the wires that are there are fine to use - but they must be re-arranged to suit the alternator - it's not just a straight swop.

[tomothy94]

okay. going to try my best with this later today - expect me to come moaning because somethings wrong!

[bmcecosse]

Print off the alternator diagram at the top of Electrical. And - make sure the pulley lines up with the other pulleys. It often needs a thin washer between water pump lug and alternator. You probably also need a new/shorter fan belt. Good idea anyway! 825 is the normal length with an alternator.

[lambrettalad]

also not to make the fan belt too tight or your water pump will not last too long, you will need a new fan belt ,one that suits an alternator ,good luck