Can They Die that Quick ??

[choogh]

The altenator on the SBC has three wires going to it, One from the main battery feed, One tapped off the same terminal on the Alt. and looped to a spade connector on the Alt; and the third is to the remaining spade connector and is "switched 12v" from the ignition.
Putting the AK "to bed" after a jaunt around the countryside, I noticed that the Batt Warning Light/Charging light had come on. I've checked all the connections and they seem OK, So I'm left with the conclusion that the Alt. is goosed.
Question: Can they Die that quickly and without any warning, . Previous to yesterday, all have been perfect for 11K miles. :drive:
Any ideas appreciated, as finding a replacement out here could be difficult.
Thanks.
Charlie:thumb:

[kev]

If you've got a volt meter you can easily prove the alternator. If the voltage is <12V when the engine is on fast tickover it's goosed. If the voltage is c14.7V it's OK.

Kev

[nbracken]

Surprised it would faiol that quickly. They don't have much work to do on a Cobra replica.
My SBC has a 2.3 Cortina alternator that I picked up from a scrapper circa 1992 - it has since done about 40,000 kms with no probs (I know it will now fail next week...)

[robert]

Originally Posted by choogh

Question: Can they Die that quickly and without any warning, . Previous to yesterday, all have been perfect for 11K miles. :drive:
Any ideas appreciated, as finding a replacement out here could be difficult.
Thanks.
Charlie:thumb:

Yes, I had one go in a very short amount of time. If the internals aren't quite right the heat within the engine bay can lead to their demise in a short period of time. It may however be a dead cell in the battery so best to check both.

[wilf]

If it is a GM pattern alternator, then Roadcraft have repair kits - a complete "internals" swap, easy to do.

It is also a good idea to put a 5 Amp fuse in that link between terminals - a good precaution to guard against fires caused by a specific mode of Alternator failure - I know of one car (and house) totally burnt out due to that.

[choogh]

If we are talking about houses and cars burning down..I think I'd best come clean and tell the whole story.:boohoo:
On Friday, I fitted (as per the instructions) a set of Gerbing heated clothing (trousers, jacket and gloves) the draw (all consumers on) is <12 amps, is direct from the battery, the system was tested out on Saturday for about 2 hours and all OK, the clothes are powered via two seperate, switchable; thermostats, the loom is fused.
After the test, I drove back into the garage and as I reversed in, (low revs/tick over), the batt charge light came on, and stayed on. As mentioned, all wiring has the right volts in the right place, but ...it's not not charging. Given the 65amp altenator, the <15 amp draw for the Gerbing's that should not "Kill" an altenator,.. surely!!!
Thanks
Charlie:thumb:

[Dutch Paul]

It was probably the reversing light that killed it then

Either that or the cob was too embarassed to be seen out with someone wearing girly heated clothing so it threw a wobbler :rotfl:

[dave]

I have had lots of fun with that type of alternator from ones that are still working fine many miles and years down the road to ones that have not worked straight out of the box and all timespans in between (2 miles, 5 miles, 100 miles, 1,000 miles, 10,000 miles). It doesn't seem to matter whos sticker is on it either.

[choogh]

Originally Posted by Dutch Paul

It was probably the reversing light that killed it then

Either that or the cob was too embarassed to be seen out with someone wearing girly heated clothing so it threw a wobbler.

I know..I know..but such wonderfull material and choice of colours......
Plus..It's sodding cold; "up 't 'ill".
Charlie:thumb:

[wilf]

Charlie - may have just been a voltage spike that took the alternator out. They can be positively "female" in their behaviour sometimes. I hope my wife doesn't see this..........