Which alternator belt?

[what2do]

Hi there, my 45 amp alternator packed up the other day just as I was on my way to a garage - sods law!!! Anyway, I've been offered a choice of second hand alternators from 'my man', I'll take up the offer of a 90 amp but am I right in thinking that the belt/pulley will be different? Thanks in advance, Mitch. (emoticon inserted upon insistance from my son!!!!!)

[ghost123uk]

90 amp belt and pulley is the same E D I T = Read Ian's post a bit further down, apparently there are 2 pulley sizes and therefore 2 belt sizes

But note = most folks don't find the bigger amperage any advantage

(for your son )

[Mocki]

Be aware that it is possible that the electrical connections will be different switching tween a 45 and a 90
No big problem, but it's not a straight swap, 45's are plug in, 90's are bolt on connections .

Assuming it is a petrol engine that is not Aircooled


**** you may find life easier if you pop a small description of your van in your signature, ie engine size and type and van model and year.... ******

[ghost123uk]

I might be wrong Steve, but not sure if that is set in stone. We have 2 T25's and a Scirocco, all have standard 45 amp alternators fitted as far as I know. The Hi-Top T25 and the Scirocco has bolt on wires and the Tin-Top T25 has plug in. I don't think the Rocco or the TinTop has more than a 45 amp, but as I say, I could be wrong (and I ain't going out to check all 3

[Mocki]

As I Said, "possibly" depending on engine and age, neither of which I know from the above post

[Ian Hulley]

90 amp belt and pulley is the same

Nope, the 90 amp pulley is sometimes a smaller diameter. There's 2 sizes of 'fan' belt 1100mm and 1075mm ... 1075 fits the 90 amp system on our van. http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=118

Ian

[California Dreamin]

Go figure...I'm on a 90ah running a 1100mm belt (adjusters pretty much central). Don't suppose it matters really but you wouldn't want to be fitting a new belt and the adjuster be nearing maximum.
Bosch did an early and late 65ah alternator....early push on plug, late 8mm stud connection...both used on the T25. Although I've never seen a 45ah with stud connector....
All 90's are stud but then they would need to be as the larger 9.5mm spade connectors on smaller output alternators are only rated around 45amps continuos.

Martin

[Ian Hulley]

Don't suppose it matters really but you wouldn't want to be fitting a new belt and the adjuster be nearing maximum.

Which our's was when I swapped to a 90a I had kicking around and kept the 1100 belt (that's what shredded and whipped the B.O.D. wire off on the way to Bashtie last year) Fortunately I happened to have a couple of 1075 belts about my personage so fitted one and all was well.

Do you have PAS Martin ?

Ian

[California Dreamin]

Yes mate...PAS obviously on another belt..runs two.

Martin

[Ian Hulley]

Just seeing if there's some pattern to note ... the small pulley 90 amp I have came from a injection DJ without aircon or PAS.

Ian

[what2do]

As it turns out, the garage had incorrectly diagnosed the problem. It wasn't the alternator which was at fault, within 2 minutes my 't25 man' discovered that the thick red cable between the alternator and starter solenoid was unattached (the ring crimp had broken off). It's garages behaviour like this that drives me mad - they wanted to fit a new alternator (£160 + fitting), which I was having none of. If they had fitted it, then realised the fault was still existing and traced the actual fault, would they have refitted the original alternator????? I think not. Thank the Lord for single type specialists.

[Ian Hulley]

You can't beat doing these things yourself ... this happened to me. Steve Mocki diagnosed over the phone ... sorted out 10 minutes later myself.

[what2do]

The garage told me that the battery was fine (drop test) but the alternator was only putting out 7.2 volts...............after charging the battery and then driving 3.2 miles during the day with no lights/radio, stopped the engine and then there was absolutely zilch once the key was turned. A triple A battery would have lasted longer than that!!!! The fact that when 'my man' and I looked at it and saw that the battery appeared dead flat led us to believe that problem was something other than the alternator, bxxxxxx garages. No apology was offered either which left me spitting but then again I'm just a grumpy git lol.

LPG conversion looks tidy enough though - phew.

[Mocki]

It's an unfortunate fact that garages will always go for the common fault, quickest fix route.

For future reference of anyone reading this post, always check the voltage at the alternator connection AND the battery terminal end and compair.... Simple fault diagnosis saves cash but takes longer.