Series alternator options pls

[Cap]

My original Lucas 15 alternator aint working... not charging at all. I know very little about these things so was thinking of buying a replacement.

What are the options for the 2.25d engine? Was looking at something like this (https://www.ebay.com.au/p/Lucas-Alternator-12v-70amp-Left-Hand/22025026228?iid=282759632081&chn=ps)on ebay, or what other options are they?

Are the Lucas alternators expensive to rebuild, or even worth it?

Cheers,

[JDNSW]

I suspect that like most alternators, Lucas ones are relatively easy to rebuild (depends what is wrong with it), and I expect parts are available. When I had this issue I went to the local auto electrician, and he had a (non-Lucas) replacement on the shelf, so I took that. I do intend to rebuild the original, but have not even looked at it yet. Since they are a vehicle that remained in production for a long time, with the same alternator, and continue to be used there are certainly replacements made in either China or India or both, and these are almost certainly at least as cheap paying someone to rebuild it, so that is unlikely to be the cheapest option unless you plan to do the rebuild yourself.

About all that goes wrong with alternators is the brushes, the diodes or the regulator, or the bearings - if the bearings fail, there could be damage that makes it not feasible to repair. From memory the alternator has a single unit that includes the brushes, diodes and regulator, and is replaceable.

[Cap]

Thanks John. I actually have 2 of these, one has a knackered bearing (can move pulley around) but the one on the s2a is ok, just not returning charge. I am hesitant to rebuild as they are old units, but also dont trust new cheap build either. Ill hunt around a bit more, got time as im not driving it (not reg obviously). For a diesel i would expect a 70amp to be good as in my example link?

[B.S.F.]

Years ago I had a spare Lucas alt. rebuilt by the local auto electrician. It was quite expensive . At the time I thought, 'I should have bought a new one'. When the one in the vehicle finally packed up I took it apart and found it only needed new brushes, which cost me less than $10.
.W.

[JDNSW]

70A is plenty - in fact you will need to make sure the wiring is up to it.

You don't really need that unless you are running a lot more than original - driving lights, aircon, etc.

[incisor]

i went with a 65amp bosch generic and had the pulley shaved to suit..

[Cap]

So would a 50 amp do if one has say spot lights on and headlights? Maybe ill pull the other one apart as a learning experience and then the good one and check it. Problem is i dont know what im looking for...

[Homestar]

My 101 still runs a 35 amp alternator and I have no issues with it. Lights account for the biggest load, unless you plan on putting 2 extra sets of spotties on it, 50 amps is heaps. Not much else to run in a Series electrically - wipers and.... ?

And to your question - with a set of spotlights, high beam, all other lights (indicators, brakes, parkers, etc) and your wipers, you’d be under 40 amps. 50 is plenty big enough. 👍

[Blknight.aus]

I did the cape in a SIII diesel dual n70's with car fridge huge compressor and all manner of sundries..

on a 35A alternator and an 80w panel.

check 2 things first.

1. theres a feed wire for the external excitation. does it have voltage when the ignition is on and not when the ignition is off ( you may need to disconnect the wire to check it, check the wire AND the post on the alternator)

2. the brush on the slip ring or if its an advanced number the slip ring roller, may have lifted, a couple of whacks with a small deadblow hammer may bring it back to life.

after that its pull it down and rebuilt time, its only an old school lucas or bosch so its essentially DIY and takes a couple of lazy hours to do it.

[Cap]

Thanks all. I wont over think this [bigsmile] I will pull it apart and check it out. Looks like parts are cheap (brushes) so dont have much to lose but plenty to gain including knowledge. Happy to know i dont need big amps so thanks for the info. Time to start reading :)

[whitehillbilly64]

I fitted one of these. LXA119
Straight swap.
Gut mine off the shelf at Repco, if all else fails.

whitehillbilly

[Cap]

Had a look at my lucas 15 ac alternator and tried to take the back half off undoing the 3 long bolts that hold the piece together. Unfortunately, all the components (regulator, brushes etc) are all bolted to the back casing and there are wires soldered to them from the coil. I cannot see how these units can be taken apart. The later ones have a plastic case that once removed exposes these components without needing to split the alternator.

mine looks like this
http://www.moke.com.au/Forum/gallery/7/1603_20_04_11_1_01_25.jpeg


Can these alternators be pulled apart or are they non-serviceable?

[Blknight.aus]

it comes apart from the front...

pully off fan off, slide the front off, slide the rotor out, remove the mounting bolts for the reg and rectifier the bushes come out last.

2 flavors of bushes, pin retained ones and clip lock ones.

pin retained ones you need to insert a service pin in the brush frame with the brush pushed all the way back. they pull out through either the small hole in the back of the alternator or one of the cooling vents. Clip lock ones have a latch built into either the front or rear of the holder that you simply lift with a small screwdriver..

[Cap]

Well, here I go with another embarrassing admission re miss-diagnoses... how many is that now - lost count. Anyway, this is another one of those 'cant see the forest for the trees' moment. I had a mate come over and we discussed the alternator not charging, so he said that the alternator need a 12v in. I said I got it wired up, however when we tested it there was no power!

Long story short, we traced the wire to a blown charge light... yes he light was not working all along with power to ignition and yet I didnt pick this up!

So a quick change of the plug, on ignition, globe is on and after starting alternator charging at around 14v.

SO anyone who is new like me to Series wiring, a blown fuse should'nt be ignored as it is part of the circuit, something I didnt realise. So if you got a blown globe, your alternator ISNT charging.

Cheers,

[Aaron IIA]

That is why you need to check that the battery light comes on when the ignition is turned on, but before the engine is started.

If you want to change the alternator to a modern unit, Bosch make a replacement with the same mounting pattern and offset as the Lucas 15ac

Aaron

[drfish]

Sorry to drag up an old post. I’m looking at one of these at the moment. Was there any need to change to pulley? Why did you go this one over the 36 amp one that they also stock? Was the wiring up to it?


I fitted one of these. LXA119
Straight swap.
Gut mine off the shelf at Repco, if all else fails.

whitehillbilly

[whitehillbilly64]

Hi Matt.
Several others had fitted that Type without any issues.
Straight swap, no pulley change.
Been on my S3 Daily for 4 years, 35,000klms so far without a problem.'
I had fitted a new Autosparks loom, Head lights went through a replay, to H4 Globes.
Was an over the counter buy so no waiting.
Ask how much, then ask if any better price can be done, Please.

whitehillbilly

[drfish]

Thanks mate, I’ll think I’ll try one then. I’m just about to order a new Autosparks loom, which is why I needed to decide whether to order one to accept an alternator, or the dynamo/regulator setup (to save butchering it later).

Repco had it for $229 yesterday, but today it has gone up to $243!

Cheers, Matt


Hi Matt.
Several others had fitted that Type without any issues.
Straight swap, no pulley change.
Been on my S3 Daily for 4 years, 35,000klms so far without a problem.'
I had fitted a new Autosparks loom, Head lights went through a replay, to H4 Globes.
Was an over the counter buy so no waiting.
Ask how much, then ask if any better price can be done, Please.

whitehillbilly

[whitehillbilly64]

Online or over the counter?

whitehillbilly

[drfish]

Both were the NRMA members price. Went to the nearest store yesterday arvo and they said $229 (which was the online price at the time as well) plus $20 shipping to get it to the store from the warehouse in Sydney (all of the nearby stores showed they had to order it in). I said that’s ridiculous when I could have it delivered to my home for $12 when ordering online. By the time I got around to ordering it at 11 pm it had gone up to the higher price, so I decided to go to bed instead…


Online or over the counter?

whitehillbilly

[101RRS]

plus $20 shipping to get it to the store from the warehouse in Sydney

Yes Repco try that on all the time for items they do not have in stock in a store. I dont understand why the can do it - anywhere else the quoted price is the store price not the warehouse price.

Repco is generally more expensive than anywhere else anyway - so when I have tried it on I have said they have to meet the shipping cost from warehouse to store - sometimes they have relented other times not, so went elsewhere. Plenty of alternative options.

[whitehillbilly64]

I have been dealing with my Local Repco for 30 odd years so get a good price on all Parts.
It is surprising how many Series Land Rover parts are available through them, that going back to the days when all Banana growers were using them.
Usually if coming from the warehouse, no postage costs. It moves via Repco's own couriers.
I picked up a pair of KYB shockies for a Pajero last week. A store in Central Qld had them. They were sent back to the Brisbane Warehouse then down to Murwillumbah. No postage costs. $145 each, reduced to $119 each. I said is that really the best? Bit more Tapping on the Computer.
Walked out paying $90 each.

whitehillbilly

[Gippslander]

Check out Geoffrey Crocker on youtube a very informative video on repairing land rover alternators along with a lot more interesting content.

[gromit]

Yes Repco try that on all the time for items they do not have in stock in a store. I dont understand why the can do it - anywhere else the quoted price is the store price not the warehouse price.

Repco is generally more expensive than anywhere else anyway - so when I have tried it on I have said they have to meet the shipping cost from warehouse to store - sometimes they have relented other times not, so went elsewhere. Plenty of alternative options.

Tried it with me a couple of years ago.
I asked where the warehouse was and the guy said "behind us". I asked if they seriously wanted to charge for getting it from a building a few steps away and he relented.
One of my boys is a trainee mechanic now so I can get most items at trade price.

Colin

[drfish]

I always thought I did pretty well with this stuff, but sounds like I need to take you shopping with me!


I have been dealing with my Local Repco for 30 odd years so get a good price on all Parts.
It is surprising how many Series Land Rover parts are available through them, that going back to the days when all Banana growers were using them.
Usually if coming from the warehouse, no postage costs. It moves via Repco's own couriers.
I picked up a pair of KYB shockies for a Pajero last week. A store in Central Qld had them. They were sent back to the Brisbane Warehouse then down to Murwillumbah. No postage costs. $145 each, reduced to $119 each. I said is that really the best? Bit more Tapping on the Computer.
Walked out paying $90 each.

whitehillbilly