rewinding sierra alternator

[Brendan-s]

I've been looking at ways to get some more juice flowing in the zook, and have been talking to want33s about the falcon alternator swap, but I was wondering if it's possible to rewind the stock sierra alternator to a higher output? it doesn't need to have a mega high output but enough to run some spotties and a fridge. is there anyone in sydney you could recommend taking it to? if I can get away without having to do any custom work to fit a new alternator or the like I'll take that option.

[want33s]

You can get an alternator rewound for a higher output at most auto electricians or electric motor rewind specialists.
The biggest problems with rewinding an alt is that:
* Your output is moved up across the rev range. You will get almost no charge at idle and won't get full charge to about 1200-1500 rpm.

* There is also the considerable cost in labour and wiring will need upgrade too.
* Higher internal temp leads to shorter service life.
* Battery life is reduced by lack of charge at idle.
And your car will be without an alternator for at least a week unless you have a spare to rewind.
EF Falcon conversion is so easy, don't stress about it.

[Brendan-s]

Thanks Jas, as usual you're a wealth of knowledge!

I'm not too concerned about it moving the charge point upwards of 1000rpm. My zook lives at about 5000rpm whenever I'm driving it anyway What I mean is anywhere I would be camping etc to drain the battery will usually be followed by a day's wheeling or exploring to charge the second battery back up again.

Do you have an idea of roughly what it would cost? I'm at the stage where I am prepared to pay a couple of hundred bucks out of my tax return to get it sorted. And I reckon it will mean a lot less dicking around on my behalf. It might be an easy swap to do the Falcon conversion but I'm still not too confidant I'll get everything right!

Also I've been driving the missus's Laser at the moment (got sick of clutching the Zook back to life everywhere) so having the Zook at an auto elec's for a week doesn't worry me.

Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way. Could anyone tell me, if I got the stock alternator rebuilt would be happy running:

1 set of 100W driving lights
Headlights, wipers, heater, stereo (normal stuff)
Dealing with recharging dual batteries.?

[want33s]

Thanks Jas, as usual you're a wealth of knowledge!

I'm not too concerned about it moving the charge point upwards of 1000rpm. My zook lives at about 5000rpm whenever I'm driving it anyway What I mean is anywhere I would be camping etc to drain the battery will usually be followed by a day's wheeling or exploring to charge the second battery back up again.

Do you have an idea of roughly what it would cost? I'm at the stage where I am prepared to pay a couple of hundred bucks out of my tax return to get it sorted. And I reckon it will mean a lot less dicking around on my behalf. It might be an easy swap to do the Falcon conversion but I'm still not too confidant I'll get everything right!

Also I've been driving the missus's Laser at the moment (got sick of clutching the Zook back to life everywhere) so having the Zook at an auto elec's for a week doesn't worry me.

Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way. Could anyone tell me, if I got the stock alternator rebuilt would be happy running:

1 set of 100W driving lights
Headlights, wipers, heater, stereo (normal stuff)
Dealing with recharging dual batteries.?

I reckon you'd be up for at least $150 maybe $250 for a rewind.

A pair of 100W spotties draws about 18 Amp. Headlights 10A. Wipers 10A. Heater fan 10A. Thats 48A already without running ignition or charging batteries. How many Amp is a stock Sierra alt? 40-45?
If you have $$$ to spend go and ask an auto elec how much to fit a Falcon alt. He should have one there to look at. I reckon you should be able to get it fitted for that money just about anywhere. (Assuming you start with a used alt. Eg: wreckers.)
Don't be thinking EF is the ONLY option, it's just the largest, cheapest, easiest to get and easiest to fit. Good luck with it. Jas.

[Santos]

Municito ' bolted' in a ford laser alternator which he said looked like a chubby sierra alternator. Something like 60 amps output (25% over a 45 amp sierra alternator)

Or you could just get a late model swift 50amp alternator or a jimny g13bb 65amp alternator all bolt in at the cost of a rewind

[Brendan-s]

Thanks guys, that's some good advice. I will call a few auto elecs and ask them about swaps to other alternators. Cheers!

PS Is there anyone in Sydney on this board who would be keen to earn 100 bucks and a carton to help me install a Falcon alternator if I went that way?

[Guy]

I ran around for years with my stock 55 amp alt (Had a Vit motor in the sierra ) with 100watt driving lights 100 watt headlights, AMP heater wipers etc all running with any charging issues at all ...

Actually I had all that stuff running of the factory alt as well .. never ever had a problem with charging.. lowest I ever measured from memory with every thing running (including the compressor to inflate the the tyres) was 13 volts ...

[Brendan-s]

hmmm my mind changes with every reply! I am gonna go speak to a sparky tomorrow and ask about doing that upgrade for me. or maybe I will just get mine rebuilt and leave it at that for a couple of years.

[Santos]

found it

http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopi ... ight=laser Several post down from a early 80's 1.5l.

Then i remebered i got a 1.3l mazda engine sitting in the garage i will check it out against the sierra one

[built4thrashing]

i ended up putting a 60amp swift alt in my zook. I have a digital amp guage connected inline with the alt and the 2 batteries and with everything on (spot lights, heater, stereo amp, wipers, etc) and the most it has ever charged at is 41amp @ 14.4volts.

[NIK]

I have a 55amp swift alternator in mine and I THINK the stock sierra is only 30amp but Ive been wrong before.
Nik

[dank]

EL falcon is a piece of piss. check out built for thrashing's write up. I got a second hand one from wreckers for sixty bucks. I reckon tho for ease of fitment and whatever a swift one would do the job....I'm running a winch and 4 spottys, uhf, stereo so need the extra guts from the EL....

[Guy]

hmmm my mind changes with every reply! I am gonna go speak to a sparky tomorrow and ask about doing that upgrade for me. or maybe I will just get mine rebuilt and leave it at that for a couple of years.

Run it as is without spending a cent (except for a mulitmeter) Turn all your junk on and see what happens .. IF you find that the stocker is not coping spend the $$ on an upgrade .. if it works well .. leaveit and spend the $$ on something useful .. like some fluffy dice..