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anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:23 pm
by 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 :/

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:27 pm
by 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.

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:32 pm
by 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.

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:49 pm
by 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.

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:53 pm
by 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... :oops: also, as you are possibly the most knowledgeable person around here.. does an alternator charge all the time, including during idle?

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:58 pm
by 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!

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:00 pm
by 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.

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:09 am
by 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.

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:59 am
by tomothy94
okay. going to try my best with this later today - expect me to come moaning because somethings wrong!

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:21 am
by 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.

Re: anybody ever fitted a mini alternator to their moggy?

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:27 pm
by 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