Replacement Alternator from the US

[PeeBee]

When I did the conversion the engine came with a 105Amp alternator, at the time I had a Warn 15000lb electric on the back of the patrol and wanted some more grunt, so replaced it with a 300amp unit from the USA. The unit fitted without issue and has been reliable, until last week the volts died. Trip to the Auto Elec after some over the phone diagnostics from @matfew, and turned out the volt regulator had given up the ghost. Easy, pls replace it - Nope not a single unit in the country. I ended up having to import both the voltage reg for the 300 and I wanted a spear for the 105 as well, and yes , not one in the country.
So the lesson I guess is if you go down the path of importing gear you need to ensure the spares are avail. If this had happened in the middle of the high country or the desert it would have been very stressful.Alternator 1.jpgAlternator 2.jpg
The Reg for the 105 arrived in 5 days ex USA, still waiting on the 300.

[mudnut]

There are alternatives to buying regulators. 4-5 years ago I found a youtube clip which included circuit drawings to build a universal type regulator. It is a simple circuit to build. I am pretty sure you could double or triple up on the transistors and should be able to run any rotor out there.

This is not the video but it shows a very basic type as a start.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI7oFEcDQzo

I built half a dozen units that could run nippondenso, bosch or even the newer aftermarket branded ones. They can be remotely mounted, so could theoretically be waterprooofed. They work really well. Buggered if I can find them now, though. The expensive bits are the heat sinks and the tube of heat conducting paste.

The ones I built included the trio of small diodes, so it was just a matter of soldering or connecting to the windings and the brushes. I will have another search tomorrow.

[PeeBee]

There are alternatives to buying regulators. 4-5 years ago I found a youtube clip which included circuit drawings to build a universal type regulator. It is a simple circuit to build. I am pretty sure you could double or triple up on the transistors you should be able to run any rotor out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI7oFEcDQzo

Thanks Muddy. I also run what is called a Quicktifer which has additional rectifiers in it to spread the load and the heat from charging and then the under bonnet heat. I run a unit that is rated at 420amps capacity, they work well but the voltage reg still failed for whatever reason - I mean its a replacement part pretty common on an alternator. Annoying thing it had only done maybe 500klm.

[BrazilianY60]

300 amps alt is OEM for some vehicle or is it something aftermarket?

[mudnut]

the voltage reg still failed for whatever reason - I mean its a replacement part pretty common on an alternator. Annoying thing it had only done maybe 500klm.

I found that running an alternator with an open circuit in the system quickly destroys the regulator. Double check all your connections and terminals.

[PeeBee]

I found that running an alternator with an open circuit in the system quickly destroys the regulator. Double check all your connections and terminals.

OK, have replaced the alternator that died with a spare, same connections exactly and everything is fine, who knows?

[PeeBee]

300 amps alt is OEM for some vehicle or is it something aftermarket?

Its OEM in the Chev world USA apparently. They need power for all their hair dryers and dildos they drive around sitting on.

[PeeBee]

I decided to order spare regulators for the 105amp, back up alternator and 300amp duty alternator. Regulators were cheap, $45USD each, so ordered 2 off each. Freight, horrendous, $90USD for a box the weight of a pack of cigarettes x 2.

Yeah well, you guessed it, the wrong regs have turned up. I must have run over a chinaman and walked under too many ladders, this is becoming painful in the extreme. You would have thought sending photos of the regs showing shape size and the part number stencilled on the back would be adequate - nope. I now have 3 regs for th 105amp unit - the spare, and none for the 300amp unit.
Onto the next lemon resolution plan!

[pollenface]

I've always thought of mounting a small generator on the roof for times of high electrical loads to assist alternator.

[PeeBee]

I've always thought of mounting a small generator on the roof for times of high electrical loads to assist alternator.

I think there was a surge in this type of approach in the 1970's in the USA motorhome industry where people were driving down the highway with wind generator mounted on their rooftops. Unsure what the outcome was, probably outlawed as too dangerous for low flying badger crickets or the like.
I have always thought about walking to tasmania but never took the plunge - maybe next year.