RichardAllen Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I have just come back from a 3 week trip where the only problem on my 300TDi was an alternator failure. So I want to take a spare one next time, but have little space. Is there any reason not to stow the spare one under the bonnet, possibly on a little fabricated bracket bolted to the engine where the aircon unit would go if I had one ? All help gratefully received Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 No reason at all, probably just as simple to fit both, plonk on a longer belt, and have a twin setup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat_pending Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 But what are the chances of the new alternator failing? It will be something else next time. It's possible to get paranoid about things failing and keep adding to to the spares list, it will still always be the one thing you're not carrying that breaks. I wouldn't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I wouldn't bother either, there are certain spares you should take with you but you need to stop somewhere, if you are that worried fit the new one before you go!! if you have fitted a good one and have a spare stick it in a box, and leave it with a friend. If something happens you can get it sent to you within 24 hours!! Jason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Alternatively for about 20 quid you can but an alternator repair kit, much easier to find a home for it. (sorry about the pun) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy andy. Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Alternatively for about 20 quid you can but an alternator repair kit, much easier to find a home for it. (sorry about the pun) Who does the repair kits? How much ish? Thanks Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Presumably a brush pack & regulator, Lucas ones cost about £15 from what I've heard, furneaux riddall & Wood Auto (I think) sell them as should most Lucas distributors. Maybe bearings if you're feeling adventurous. To be honest though, alternators are quite a universal machine - there's only a few manufacturers and aside from the main variations (RH/LH & V-belt or poly-v) if you're proper stuck you're never a million miles from something that can be bodged to fit or robbed for bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 with a 300tdi , you dont need electrics to run , other than the diesel stop solenoid which you can feed direct with a couple of torch batteries and bit of wire ! I would think bolting a spare alt to the aircon mount is an excellent idea though. Re spares I work on principle of what can be utilised at the side of the road by myself, or other things that might be difficult to obtain but not require a major rebuild, involving other components that I am not carrying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Just make sure you start with a good recent alternator and you should be fine. If you've been wading in muck or hooning around in dust and sand the brushes can wear down quicker - a pack of spare brushes takes no space and you can change them in an hour. I had one pack up with worn down brushes once on a trip a few years back and was able to use ones from a different type of alternator with a bit of trimming, in fact I think they're still on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardAllen Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Drilled a bit of angle iron and now have a spare alternator sat in the engine bay. I will also check out the refurb kits. Hopefully, if I have the spares it won't break ! Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I ran one for a while. Simple bracket mounted on the aircon fixings and a small 65amp aux alternator (from a Subaru justy!!) stuck on there. All the wiring needed kept in reserve with a short multi V belt to run it from the top pulley if needed (think it was a freelander belt of some sort). Worked fine when tested but ended up replacing the main alternator with a bigger one and did away with it as an unnecessary luxury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 If its in the engine bay it may be worth wrapping it up to prevent ingress from dust/water. I wouldn't fit twins if you dont need them. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 So now when your alternator packs up you'll have a nice seized-up spare in the engine bay full of mud & dust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardAllen Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Once I have a pulley on it, and I have found out whether it is supposed to have a fan or not, I will wrap it in plastic and gaffer tape. I also avoid mudholes, though not the occasional river. Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Who does the repair kits? How much ish? Thanks Andy Do a search on your favourite auction site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.