Somewhat delayed follow-up...
In the end I bought this one (http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250247681906) from the Starter motor & Alternator Co
It's a NEW 70A beast with the same plug-in connector (2 large spades, 1 small) as the 45A unit it replaced.
Cost was £40, plus £15 for next-day delivery (which comes as standard).
Thoroughly recommend this supplier: he was happy to give advice on the phone as to the most suitable unit. He even fitted a suitable pulley and fan for me (no extra charge).
Slight down-side was that the adjustment mounting is not threaded as on the original: the new unit was supplied with a nut and bolt so you need 2 spanners to adjust it. (Otherwise was a drop-in replacement - and managed to replace it without removing the radiator fan and cowl, as suggested by Mr Haynes, as I'm sure that would have made the job take four times as long, seeing as how you have to drain the cooling system to do it...!)
With the old unit out... it was no wonder it wasn't working well. The inside had obviously seen the influx from the same wading adventures that are apparent elsewhere (under the carpet, in the battery box, ...) being a nice pale brown in colour; and the output terminals were so rusty it's a wonder that any electrons could get past!
Anyway, all done now, and my battery meter is showing a nice, healthy indication to the right of centre...
PJ
In the end I bought this one (http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250247681906) from the Starter motor & Alternator Co
It's a NEW 70A beast with the same plug-in connector (2 large spades, 1 small) as the 45A unit it replaced.
Cost was £40, plus £15 for next-day delivery (which comes as standard).
Thoroughly recommend this supplier: he was happy to give advice on the phone as to the most suitable unit. He even fitted a suitable pulley and fan for me (no extra charge).
Slight down-side was that the adjustment mounting is not threaded as on the original: the new unit was supplied with a nut and bolt so you need 2 spanners to adjust it. (Otherwise was a drop-in replacement - and managed to replace it without removing the radiator fan and cowl, as suggested by Mr Haynes, as I'm sure that would have made the job take four times as long, seeing as how you have to drain the cooling system to do it...!)
With the old unit out... it was no wonder it wasn't working well. The inside had obviously seen the influx from the same wading adventures that are apparent elsewhere (under the carpet, in the battery box, ...) being a nice pale brown in colour; and the output terminals were so rusty it's a wonder that any electrons could get past!
Anyway, all done now, and my battery meter is showing a nice, healthy indication to the right of centre...
PJ
