Club 80-90 Forums

Help required for a change.
Replaced my alternator on the boat's engine today - I had never checked the connections previously. It is this alternator:



According to sellers blurb:
Connection B+ & two large spade terminals > These are the main connects to the positive battery terminal.
Connection W > This is the rev counter pick up if your rev counter is triggered from the alternator.
Small spade terminal next to two large terminals > This is the connect to the charge light on your dash board.
Small spade terminal next to the B+ post > This is the connection for the suppressor if one is fitted.

As it is wired at present there is only one large spade connection and no B+ bolt connection. Am I correct in thinking that the two spades cover the full output together the same as the B+ bolt? (this would explain the melting of the plastic on the spades housing due to all 70A flowing through one spade) More bodge work by a previous owner by the look of it.
Looks like a single bolt replacement cable is in order here as spades aren't too happy with salt water.
All other connections are OK.
Any views/ideas/ridicule?

Yep the two large spades are the B+ output they are joined internally inside the alternator the smaller spade is for the battery warning light.

Ta muchos.

Looks like the alternator was a 'changeover' design. When many were still using the push on block connectors with spade connections, but due to the higher current demand of modern cars output went up manufacturers went to the B+ POST and eyelet connection to cope.

You can see this on our T3's where it is possible to get a Bosch 65ah alternator, early with push on block & late with 8mm post.
Interesting to note that ALL (later) 90ah units came with the heavier duty post connection.
So as Bigherb has said..ignore the two large spade connectors and just use the post with eyelet and the standard spade connector for the exciter.

Martin

Yes, I am going to upgrade the wiring as the spade wiring that is there at present is under rated and only to one spade - what I thought was a nice beefy cable didn't go to the alternator at all! I will replace it to the stud rather than the spades.