JohnTB Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Belt tight? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnTB Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Fan belt is fine, not too tight, moves about 3/4" to 1" at mid point between water pump and crank. The three pulley's (water pump, alternator and crank) are all lined up OK in the same plane. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020  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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stagpowered Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit_2.5PI Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 So can you still get a genuine 55A LUCAS Alternator form anyone rather than a Chinese copy? Thanks Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit_2.5PI Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I should have said, new pattern part. The plastic moulding on the back doesn't have Lucas on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 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? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Hi Andy, The Bosch part no of the alternator I have installed is:Â 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. Â Regards, Waldi Bosch dynamo 0986 036 010.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Thanks Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnTB Posted January 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 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 ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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