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Noisey Alternator


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I bought and installed a new ACR18 Alternator six months ago. It's making a bit of a din when running, working just fine but sounds as like there is a lack of lubrication somewhere. Is there anyway I can lubricate ? There is no mention in the 'Brown Book' I know you should never state a problem and then suggest an answer so maybe it's something else ! All observations welcomed.

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 Hi John,

Give the belt a squirt of WD40 whilst it is running and see what happens.  If the raquet Wracket  noise disappears then fit a new belt.

Otherwise it could be the fan on the Alt pulley. Check that none of the vanes are touching.

Check that they are all twisted apprx the same

The Alts can't be lubricated normally.

 

Roger

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It is probably a Chinese copy rather than an original Lucas.

I have fitted several of these on various Triumphs and they have mostly been ok, though the one had a tendency to eat brushes due to the commutator not being machined true before finally expiring during the autosolo at Lincoln.

On one of my Stags the lights flicker at idle as though the output voltage is varying though it has been doing this for 4 years and about 14,000 miles.

Although I have not experienced it myself I have heard of others who had premature bearing failure, some rebuilding with new bearings.

Having 5 Triumphs on the road means most of them don't do big mileage so I am prepared to take a chance on the cheap ones.

Neil

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I had that on mine. An occasional "scream" which didn't quite sound like the belt. I assumed the bearings were on the way out, despite it being a "new" alternator from a respected supplier. Then it failed to charge and I took it to the local specialist at Burghfield Common who tested it and turned out to be the diode pack was failing. No more dry bearing sound - deep joy! I assume the screeching was an intermittent connection on one or more of the diodes causing the whole rotor to vibrate.

Cheers, Richard

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So can you still get a genuine 55A LUCAS Alternator form anyone rather than a Chinese copy?

Thanks

Andy 

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Hi Andy,

you can't get a genuine Lucas anything.  maybe NOS but old electrics is not not always a good idea.

There are very good alternators out there for not a lot. Powerlite make very good alternators as supplied by most suppliers.

Roger 

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I should have said, new pattern part. The plastic moulding on the back doesn't have Lucas on it.

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15 hours ago, RogerH said:

Hi Andy,

you can't get a genuine Lucas anything.  maybe NOS but old electrics is not not always a good idea.

There are very good alternators out there for not a lot. Powerlite make very good alternators as supplied by most suppliers.

Roger 

Thanks Roger I'll have a look.

Andy

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Hi Andy,

I have fitted a Bosch alternator, 55A. Like the ones installed in a Ford Fiesta and several other vehicles from that era. No modifications needed. I was lucky to find a “Bosch Remanufactured” one, so factory reconditioned. It does not look far from original, unlike more modern Bosch units.

Waldi

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3 hours ago, Waldi said:

Hi Andy,

I have fitted a Bosch alternator, 55A. Like the ones installed in a Ford Fiesta and several other vehicles from that era. No modifications needed. I was lucky to find a “Bosch Remanufactured” one, so factory reconditioned. It does not look far from original, unlike more modern Bosch units.

Waldi

Thanks Waldi don't suppose you have a part number?

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Hi Andy,

The Bosch part no of the alternator I have installed is: 0986.036.020.

But there are several very similar alternators from Bosch, all with the same capacity and "fitting" dimensions, like the xxx.010 in attached dimensional drawing.
 

Regards,

Waldi

Bosch dynamo 0986 036 010.pdf

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Many thanks Gent's,

Much to think about there!

I think Roger's suggestion of  the magic WD40 is the first pass 'cheapest' option and also I'll check the vanes. I've got a new fan belt in my boot somewhere. I still have my original Lucas 17ACR so I could rebuild it and put it back on. I thought a replacement was the easiest option (and it seems you can only get 18ACR's). Maybe not so !

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