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No i don't have one.

Morning, On my truck i've got a block heater. But being american it's 110v. About 1.5kw. I was wondering what would be the easiest way to plug it in here ? Could i get one of the yellow transformer boxes that most industrial places use and make up a lead that plugs into it that my heater will plug into ? This is what i've got : Could i use one of these : If so, what sort of size / rating ? I'm assuming i can cut up a lead which plugs into this and put my own american style plug on the end ? Cheers Gordon

I can't disagree. If it freaks out then well ya, a second would definately help. The latest price i had for a 210 A alt was c. £130 - £150. Grove Auto Parts

Daan. Can i ask how you've tested this ? We used to have a limit of 2,000rpm and we had our alternators producing as much as possible at this point. I'd put it more down to different makes / models / types of alternators and the amount that they put out at idle. G

Lol...didn't see the pun. I would of thought that even though you're not driving that much, i reckon that it should be fairly charged. It's probably just because it was so cold. As stated above, glow plugs ? I know i don't like working in the cold Gord

With what you're doing currently are you having problems ?

Doh...ok, on that part yes 2 x alts are better. I was meaning in energy required. i.e 100 x 2 = 200 x 1 I still say that a single serp belt does work. Personally i've run 2 x 200A @ 18v+ (variable reg) as well as a basic 80A @ 12v. One a little peugeot 1.6.

I got a brand new one from Manchester Auto Electrics. £70, bosch i think it was. Apparently they're not worth refurbing as something else inside buggers up. (A refurb by them was about £70, but they advised against it). G

Hi, Belt - a normal serpentine belt as found on a v8 p38 will be perfectly fine. The same theory applies if you're running 2 x 100A alts on the same belt. We've done this many a time. I honestly don't see the point in running 2 x 12v battery systems. May as well make one big system that powers everything. Use a split relay if you wish to save one of the batteries for if you were using it and the engine was not running. Batterys only accept about 25amps maximum charge so unless your powering a small town off the landy a alt that size is pointless. Agree, to a degree, but why not have a couple batteries with a nice big alt and you're onto a winner. Take for example if you're operating a winch that is drawing 200A - your truck will draw for example another 30A max ? (My p38 draws about 30A under normal conditions).... Your alt will be producing max at this point (say 100A), the remainder will be coming from the battery. When you let off the winch motor the alt will produce as much as the battery(s) can take to recharge it. If you had in this instance 2 seperate systems (2 x small alts)...Then you'll effictively have less power on the winching side, although the engine side will be as normal. I guess it all comes down to how you'd sperate the 2 systems. What components would be run off what ? Winches on one, lights on the other / with engine ?? But how often do you winch in the grand scale of things, how often are your lights on etc ? This is probably the main reason i prefer to stick to a KISS method. A vehicle itself does not need much power to keep running. If you want to know about silly current draw, my F250 today which isn't starting for some reason was drawing 680A max peak. These come as standard with 2 bat's wired without split relay. G

Why do you want another one ? Would a single 200A alt be an easier option.

VSR. Ok..... Is it a coincadence that you're dropping from 13.6 to 12.x. Are you sure it isn't your vsr that's affecting things ? Try making your split relay switch with just a normal live feed whilst running and then see if you're getting voltage fluctuations. If the above is causing your problem, it'll start off at a low voltage whilst the extra battery charges up. Your second battery is possibly flat and can't take charge because when the circuit opens the voltage drops and thus switches off the relay. Gordon Edit : A quick google came up with this http://bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu-8/product-269/125-amp-voltage-sensitive-relay-vsr- The Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR) allows two batteries to be charged at the same time. When the engine is started and the start battery reaches 13.7 volts, the VSR engages, allowing two battery banks (start and house) to be charged simultaneously. When the voltage drops below 12.8 volts (eg the engine is stopped), the VSR disengages, separating the batteries. Those voltages mentioned above are the same as what your fluctuations are going to and from. From reading this for diagnosis, i'd definately say just join the two batteries in parrallel without any relay and see what happens.

Mick, Looking from the back, the one on the extreme right is to the battery (the big one). The one in the middle goes to your dash light. The one on the left is not used on mine, i'm assuming it's for a tacho on other vehicles ? You talk about excitation & which is the "earth" for the warning light. these are the same thing. Not sure if you're aware how it works, but : From your key you get 12v...this goes to the dash light....then to the alt. If the key is on, but the alt is not spinning, you have 12v -> 0v = light on If the key is on, alt is spinning, you have 12v -> 12v = light is off If the key is on, alt is spinning (but not working) you have 12v -> 0v = light on (or on flickering if the voltages are low). This is why you have your battery light on when you turn the ignition on before starting and also why the light comes on when you have a dodgy alt. Now...have you got that mot yet ? G

What do you need to know ? There're only a few wires on it. G

If you wiggled a few wires. Then you didn't magically add an earth wire. You could have a bad connection on the positive wire to the starter, dodgy connection to the little tab (small wire on starter solenoid, from the key) or your starters' brushes could be worn out. G

On a v8 p38 there is no earth wire on either of the bolts that attach the starter. I can't remember where it's located, from memory it's possibly near the front of the engine on the o/s. G

As said above, chances are that the alt needs it's brushes looking at them is pretty easy If you're ok with a spanner. Or... Your voltage regulator might be plying up, but generally when this happens it'll overcharge. The other possibility is a duff battery. But think you'd have had starting problems by now. You may end up just having to clean them up as well as replace the back bearing. Howcome you have the split relay at 13.7? How've you done this.

sure. I'm in aberdeen till Thurs night. Could check over your led wiring If you aren't sorted by then.

Mick, not a clue what the wiring looks like on your winch. But remember that an led will only work in one direction. Maybe you have + and - the wrong way round. G p.s how's the engine running?

can anyone tell me where you can get parts for other international engines. I have a powerstroke in my ford. G

Like Sean said above, you can test the selector solenoid by giving it 12v. I had the same problem as you and it needed a replacement transmission ecu (i got it second hand on ebay) : http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=57425 It's located under the passenger seat. G

Am i correct in assuming you've changed the sprockets as well ? My v8's aren't tight so to speak, but definately not slack. (My p38 is a gems and my 4.2 is a dual roller). G

I'd take a b+b any time over camping, done far too much of that in my life. But my worry is leaving a truck on a trailer outside, probably come out in the morning and find it empty ! G

Ford F250. 6.0 v8 powerstroke turbo diesel.

Here is a screenshot of my account. As you can see, you don't get a heck of a lot back from ebay (and my £80 asda order isn't on there yet). I have it linked to my paypal account and when i get £10 it automatically transfers across.

Quidco is a rebate site. Basicly, you create an account on the site and then if you wish to buy something online you log onto quidco. Search for the retailer on there (i.e. asda), and then click "Visit Retailer to earn cashback". It'll then open open the retailers website and everything will be as normal. I've used it for a few sites (ebay, AA, O2, PC World and a couple others i can't remember) and 99% of the time it works. For instance, if you go through quidco for an AA yearly membership, if you spend more than £100 you'll get something like £60 back. Everything has to be done online though. Clear your cookies etc before you start using it just to make sure it all works Ebay doesn't get you much back per purchase, but every little counts as they say ! G