Second Alternator Woes (Gwyn Lewis)

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Dec 23, 2012

I purchased a Gwyn Lewis second alternator and alternator mount about a month ago. When it arrived it had 14.30 hand written on the side which I'm assuming is 14.30 volts when tested.

Anyhow, fitted it this afternoon. Belt on. Adjusted. Connected directly from the +ve on the rear of the alternator to the +ve on the battery by a new cable with soldered ring terminals and the mounting bolt on the alternator to the -ve on the battery.

End result = 0.36 volts? Stripped the cables off and tested +ve terminal on the alternator to alternator body and still 0.36 volts.

I haven't fitted the wire to the warning light as I have an interior volt meter for both batteries.

I though I'd post this questiion as I'm sure that, if Gwyn Lewis has any sense, he'll be at home until the new year.

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Dec 23, 2012

You need to wire up the 12v through the light as this is the exciter wire and starts the charge in the alternator

Trewey · Dec 23, 2012

Rtfm!!

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Dec 23, 2012

DEFENDER90-DAZ said:
You need to wire up the 12v through the light as this is the exciter wire and starts the charge in the alternator

Exciter wire - like the sound of that! Does that mean the light is on when it is charging? Thanks for the rapid reply.

Trewey said:
Rtfm!!

RTFM!

I did RTFM. Then I F photographed TFM, loaded TFM to F photobucket and F posted a F picture of TFM in TF thread.

Just F ingnored what I'd F read!

Anyhow, shouldn't you be drying your house out?

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Dec 23, 2012

The 12v goes through the light to the alternator and starts the charge in the alternator - light on - when the alternator is charging it produces 12v through that wire to the light - light off (12v on both sides of the light) - thats how it works

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Dec 23, 2012

DEFENDER90-DAZ said:
The 12v goes through the light to the alternator and starts the charge in the alternator - light on - when the alternator is charging it produces 12v through that wire to the light - light off (12v on both sides of the light) - thats how it works

Super info - many thanks. :clap2::clap2:

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Dec 23, 2012

Tip: it shows to use a relay so that the 12v for the light/exciter wire comes from the battery connected to the 2nd alternator - as this governs the charge given to that battery - so don't use the other battery to feed the 12v!!!

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Dec 23, 2012

DEFENDER90-DAZ said:
Tip: it shows to use a relay so that the 12v for the light/exciter wire comes from the battery connected to the 2nd alternator - as this governs the charge given to that battery - so don't use the other battery to feed the 12v!!!

Nice tip - thank you.

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Dec 23, 2012

Let us know how you get on with finishing the "install" - might be a good idea to keep both batteries seperate too as you could have problems with voltage regulators on both alternators

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Dec 23, 2012

DEFENDER90-DAZ said:
Let us know how you get on with finishing the "install" - might be a good idea to keep both batteries seperate too as you could have problems with voltage regulators on both alternators

Will do, I'll add it to my build thread. Going to be about two weeks now because of the holidays/family, etc.

I do have a split charge fitted so will remove that when I get chance.

DEFENDER90-DAZ · Dec 23, 2012

Yes remove the split charge and keep the batteries seperate - 1 alternator per battery

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Oct 19, 2013

auf_wiedersehen_pet said:
Will do, I'll add it to my build thread. Going to be about two weeks now because of the holidays/family, etc.

Well, two weeks turned into ten months!!

Wired up today as per the diagram and nowt.

I used one of these as the indicator light....

Red LED Round Warning Indicator Car dash light 12v | eBay

.....and it lights up when the ignition comes on but does not go of when the motor fires. There is no output to the 2nd battery and I have definately used a feed from the 2nd battery to pass through the relay/indicator to the 2nd alternator.

Any ideas?

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Oct 19, 2013

In case this helps.

trax · Oct 19, 2013

d+ is warning light, w is tacho

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Oct 19, 2013

trax said:
d+ is warning light, w is tacho

So if I move the blue crimped ring terminal (from the light) to D+ and lose the earth because presumably it's earthed through the casing then I should be okay?

It's dark and Chicken Korma is about two minutes away so I'll try it tomorrow.

Cheers Trax.

trax · Oct 19, 2013

auf_wiedersehen_pet said:
So if I move the blue crimped ring terminal (from the light) to D+ and lose the earth because presumably it's earthed through the casing then I should be okay?

It's dark and Chicken Korma is about two minutes away so I'll try it tomorrow.

Cheers Trax.

should be, you can stick the earth on the bolt connecting it to the engine/mount if you want. it should earth via the casing anyway, but it won't harm and you've already got it in place.

let me know how you get on

oh btw, do you now have two interior charge/warning lights? one for each alt?

and i'm staaaaaaaaarvin, off to make dins now, steak pie and swede chips

Funkykipper · Oct 19, 2013

The mount is powder coated so needs an earth from alternator to the engine block.

I made this mistake and papa Gwyn (god) made one up and fitted it.

He truly is a top bloke and easy to talk to. He will take the ****, especially if you get stuck in the Spar car park in Dolgellau like I did.

johnlad · Oct 19, 2013

Funkykipper said:
The mount is powder coated so needs an earth from alternator to the engine block.

I made this mistake and papa Gwyn (god) made one up and fitted it.

He truly is a top bloke and easy to talk to. He will take the ****, especially if you get stuck in the Spar car park in Dolgellau like I did.

not like you to be getting stuck, lol

auf_wiedersehen_pet · Oct 19, 2013

Faced with watching Strictly with SWMBO or standing outside in the dark with a head-torch you can guess which I went for!!

trax said:
let me know how you get on

oh btw, do you now have two interior charge/warning lights? one for each alt?

Spot on now!

I've got the original alternator lamp and the extra one listed a few posts ago. As that is an LED it isn't working as it should. Bodged a normal bulb in and it goes on/off at the right times so I'll get a proper warning light.

Funkykipper said:
The mount is powder coated so needs an earth from alternator to the engine block.

Seems okay at the moment but I have already made an earth cable up so I'll have a look in the AM.

Thanks everybody.
:banana:

Paul D · Oct 19, 2013

Does this mean you have your split charge gubbins going spare? I'd be interested if you have and want to sell it on .. what sort, pics?, what do you want for it, posted to Doncaster?

Doubt I'll ever get a second alternator, but I will have a second battery for the winch and stuff!!

Second Alternator Woes (Gwyn Lewis)

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Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

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Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

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