Smoking alternator

[Thegoverner1965]

Hi all,I bought a recon Lucas alternator in my local shop fitted it but still not charging.im thinking of converting my moggie to a pedal car lol.seriously though I've read it may need revving to kick start the alternator which I've tried but no luck or even an ignition bulb problem.mine doesn't work but I've a voltmeter.im going to call an auto electrician who says if he can't fix or diagnose the problem you don't pay.so I'll update and hopefully have good news on the next post.thankyou for all your advice on this matter it's gratefully appreciated
Regards
John

[bmcecosse]

I would rig it up with temporary wiring - not using ANY of the car wiring system - to see if it works.... ie a heavy cable from battery to main terminal and a light cable from battery through an 'ignition light bulb' to the small terminal. If it's any good it WILL charge.

[Thegoverner1965]

Hi all,I hope you're not all bald from pulling you're hair out from this ongoing nonsense.ok,I've now got a recon Lucas alternator from my local shop.its exactly the same as the one I smoked but it has Lucas on it and the other was plain.i put an ignition bulb into the holder to replace an empty holder!!!.then turned the ignition on and the light was bright.i then turned the engine on and the light remained solid ,omg I thought I'm getting nowhere.im 100%positive this is wired correctly but one thing bothers me about the hand drawn plan I received with the first alternator.the thin wire that comes from the alternator I have connected to the one that came off the regulator.im wondering if there another wire to try to put it on.ive looked at various diagrams but confused .com.if there is could someone please tell me or post a pic to show me
Regards
John

[amgrave]

If the ign light is illuminating then the thin wire must be on the correct one from the reg box I would have thought. Maybe time to look elsewhere for the fault.

[Trickydicky]

Have you watched this video? It explains how to wire a alternator with a diagram too.

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=59496
Hope it helps.

[bmcecosse]

As I already advised - wire it using NONE of the car wiring initially to make sure it works.... Follow the diagram at the head of this section , Simples!

[Thegoverner1965]

Hi all,thanks for your advice .i have looked at the diagram and yes it looks straightforward but can somebody clarify where the thin wire supposed to go to from the alternator and what colour in the ignition it's wired to.i have gone with the instructions I was sent but also i put an earth to the front shock with a spade connector as it saved drilling a hole.is this not good practice and only on the inner body.i will take a pic of my work soon and hopefully somebody will see my error.ive got an auto electrician coming on the 17th as he's on holiday and would obviously like to correct it myself.apologies if this is the longest running saga on alternators in this websites history
Regards
John

[bmcecosse]

You got a shock with an earth connection?? You're losing me there.... It's only 14 volts - no shocks involved. Why did you need an earth connection anyway? Is that shown on the diagram? Just do EXACTLY as per the diagram and all will be well.

[Thegoverner1965]

Hi all,at last the moggies full of electric.after many hours and running out of ideas it hit me on the nose.the lead that comes from the alternator I connected to the starter motor side of the solonoid.yes very obvious now but never looked at that as a problem as my instructions stated connect to the nearest side to the battery!!!i can only assume the solonoid was fitted this way.anyway thankyou all so much for all you're help
Regards
John

[MarkyB]

Glad to hear you got it sorted out.

[bmcecosse]

Good grief...no wonder it smoked - running in to effectively a dead short on the starter..