Re: So, today was the day...
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:24 pm
So with the wiring all completed, we now had an amazing charge rate yes?
Well, yes and No....
we had an amazing charge rate for 2 days.... then suddenly it stopped.
Yup.... Alternator failure....
Whats more frustrating than alternator failure? Finding a replacement. You see, I spent my youth reconditioning starters and alternators. I know there's essentially 2 variants of 480 alternators - a 50 amp version for pretty much everything, and a 70amp version for the turbos.
Now, you can also argue that there's also A/C and non A/C variants, but that's just pulley size. (3 rib pulley vs 6 rib pulley) and with most alternators you'd swap the pulleys over.
HOWEVER......
we live in an age where they need your registration and VIN number to sell you a bloody air freshener for your car.
So i just needed to check that the unit I was being supplied would be a valeo, 70amp, external fan unit so off we go asking questions...
"whats the reg and VIN number mate?"
"no, I just need you to confirm it's a valeo, 70amp external fan variant"
"It brand new sir"
"no, it's reconditioned/rebuilt unit - No ones made a brand new alternator for a 480 for 15 years"
"no sir, it's brand new"
"so who's the manufacturer?"
"RNL sir"
"RNL are a dutch company who re-manufacture alternators, who's core unit are they re-manufacturing?"
"I don't know where you're getting your information from sir, they're brand new"
"from RNL's website - Look, just open the bloody box and take a picture of it and send it me"
They stopped responding after that.....
Many, many, more conversations like that and I just plumped for the cheapest one on the Bay.
I got a valeo, external fan, 70amp unit....
Now, ALL 400 alternators are the same damn shape, and as long as you've not got AC, you can pick and choose as you fancy. Want an up-rated one?
Later 440/460 units have an internal fan and pop out 75amp.
Anyway..... On with the fun....
Well, yes and No....
we had an amazing charge rate for 2 days.... then suddenly it stopped.
Yup.... Alternator failure....
Whats more frustrating than alternator failure? Finding a replacement. You see, I spent my youth reconditioning starters and alternators. I know there's essentially 2 variants of 480 alternators - a 50 amp version for pretty much everything, and a 70amp version for the turbos.
Now, you can also argue that there's also A/C and non A/C variants, but that's just pulley size. (3 rib pulley vs 6 rib pulley) and with most alternators you'd swap the pulleys over.
HOWEVER......
we live in an age where they need your registration and VIN number to sell you a bloody air freshener for your car.
So i just needed to check that the unit I was being supplied would be a valeo, 70amp, external fan unit so off we go asking questions...
"whats the reg and VIN number mate?"
"no, I just need you to confirm it's a valeo, 70amp external fan variant"
"It brand new sir"
"no, it's reconditioned/rebuilt unit - No ones made a brand new alternator for a 480 for 15 years"
"no sir, it's brand new"
"so who's the manufacturer?"
"RNL sir"
"RNL are a dutch company who re-manufacture alternators, who's core unit are they re-manufacturing?"
"I don't know where you're getting your information from sir, they're brand new"
"from RNL's website - Look, just open the bloody box and take a picture of it and send it me"
They stopped responding after that.....
Many, many, more conversations like that and I just plumped for the cheapest one on the Bay.
I got a valeo, external fan, 70amp unit....
Now, ALL 400 alternators are the same damn shape, and as long as you've not got AC, you can pick and choose as you fancy. Want an up-rated one?
Later 440/460 units have an internal fan and pop out 75amp.
Anyway..... On with the fun....