Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,bad news I'm afraid .after fitting an alternator conversion all went well.reconnected the battery and smoke came out the alternator.approx 3 seconds and I pulled the battery lead of.i them went over my work and realised to my horror I connected the brown lead from the alternator to the wrong side of the solonoid .i then swapped it over to the correct side and no smoke.i then went to start it but a dead battery and even a jump start didn't give any turn over Power.have I killed the battery and alternator ???
Regards
John

Smoke came out the alternator - even before you started it? Definitely -ve earth???

http://www3.telus.net/bc_triumph_registry/smoke.htm

Never a good sign when the smoke comes out

Hi all,thanks for your replies.sadly it gets worse and please feel free to have a good laugh I deserve it!.my car was positive earth but as there was a sticker above saying negative earth I didn't bother to check.some bright spark excuse the pun must have put it there for a laugh.i then changed to negative earth and also done the coil.then turned ignition on the fuel pump clicked pulled the starter nothing !it got worse after checking the work I done over and over again I don't even get an interior light in fact no power at all.i had two fully charged battery's but nothing.im thinking of calling a auto electrician out and hopefully this can be sorted.any help appreciated,also if any member lives nr harold wood in essex I'm happy to pay to have it rectified
Regards
John

Be assured - no one is going to have a laugh... Tragic mistake, easily done. Check the earths and earth strap.

Hi,will do thankyou
Regards
John

Just trying to lighten up a bad situation, not having a go at you.

Hi all,can someone clarify for me please,figure 4 has the old wires from the regulator joined together.does this mean all 4 joined together or 2 separate pairs???sorry if I appear thick but your expert knowledge would be grateful
Regards
John[frame][/frame]

Hi not sure they should be connected together, other will be able to confirm. I left the wires on the controlbox as per the diagram below that was included in my conversion
Hope this helps
[frame][/frame]

Hi ,thankyou for your reply.it does make sense as I'm keeping the regulator for display only and will still be earthed.i will try this tomorrow and need to fit another earth so here's hoping the moggie will start.
Regards
John

I can't follow your drawing.... Just refer to the very simple alternator diagram at the top of this section. It works... But if smoke really did come out -I doubt the alternator will.......

Hi,yes I agree but at the moment I've got no electrics whatsoever.so after work I'll do the earths and if the engine starts ok but the alternator doesn't I'll get another.at least the wiring will be done already.funny thing is I had lots of 70s cars when I was younger and repairs all went well including engine swaps.in fact 2 engines in one day as the one I put in first was a smoker.i must be getting old or maybe the instructions I was given were not very clear.having said that air fix kits were a problem always had parts left lol.
Regards
John

Hi all,spot on for the suggestion regarding the the earthing.after cleaning any tightening the old girl fired up first time.sadly though the alternator is broke a shame as it's brand new but my fault.instead of buying off fleabay can anyone tell me if I can get one at halfords?? Thanks for all your help
Regards
John

Only if you have very deep pockets.......

Can you just get a regulator pack for it?, as that's all you have nuked, the rest of it will be fine. They always were available for the Lucas ACR series, changed many of them for people where the rest of the unit is good.

Usually plenty on ebay...

Hi all,thankyou very much for your help and advice.ive seen this repair kit on fleabay would it be ok for the alternator ?.its not got a make on .please see pics
Regards
John[frame][/frame]

This is the one I bought so hopefully this can be repaired with the kit?
Regards
John[frame][/frame]

I doubt that's a Lucas ACR.....

John,

Can you post a picture of the back of your alternator? The connections may well give an idea what it is.