Wilson90 · Dec 23, 2017

Hi folks, one for the electrically minded amoung us, my 2 1/4 petrol 74 series 3 has as standard a 35A alternator, with the addition of halogen, a radio , extra lights, ect, she struggles to charge properly, especially on short runs at night in the cold for obvious reasons. Anyway, I've found a 50A bolt in alternator, my only worry is wether it not the standard wiring will be happy with the extra current? So could anyone give me any pointers? If I need to uprate it, which cables do I need to look at? Many thanks

KISSMYAURA · Dec 23, 2017

My heath-robinson spark advice for what its worth,

Google voltage calculator.

Add up your watts for each item, enter that and 12 for the volts will give you the approx amp draw
EG 350 watts @12V is around 29 amps.

You may need to upgrade your alternator to battery cable ( for charging ) but unlikely for anything else.

Spot lights, heated screens and other toys, should must be run via relays don't tap into existing wiring.
People tend to tap into high beam circuit for spot lights, and end up with crispy wiring and a fried stalk switch.

Spot light relay wiring kits including the relay are around £12 on EEEBAY, so thats a lot cheaper than a fire extinguisher!

KISSMYAURA · Dec 23, 2017

PS I would start by upgrading your battery to the one with the largest CCA that will fit in the space first
Tayna batterries are an excellent supplier of all makes and types and they are like the budgie.......cheap!

Wilson90 · Dec 23, 2017

KISSMYAURA said:
My heath-robinson spark advice for what its worth,

Google voltage calculator.

Add up your watts for each item, enter that and 12 for the volts will give you the approx amp draw
EG 350 watts @12V is around 29 amps.

You may need to upgrade your alternator to battery cable ( for charging ) but unlikely for anything else.

Spot lights, heated screens and other toys, should must be run via relays don't tap into existing wiring.
People tend to tap into high beam circuit for spot lights, and end up with crispy wiring and a fried stalk switch.

Spot light relay wiring kits including the relay are around £12 on EEEBAY, so thats a lot cheaper than a fire extinguisher!

I made that very mistake with the spotlight, it's not fun when the world goes dark at 40ish in the middle of nowhere, everything additional is now disconected or on a relay, when I get a dry space I will finish fitting an independent terminal block for ancilleries the terminal block will be taken direct from the battery, with a relay switched through the ignition and a fuse before that.

Wilson90 · Dec 23, 2017

KISSMYAURA said:
PS I would start by upgrading your battery to the one with the largest CCA that will fit in the space first
Tayna batterries are an excellent supplier of all makes and types and they are like the budgie.......cheap!

Battery is the next thing on the list, it's not suffered winter very well. It holds a charge brilliantly, but only a very small charge. I've never worried so much about forgetting the lights!

KISSMYAURA · Dec 23, 2017

Wilson90 said:
Battery is the next thing on the list, it's not suffered winter very well. It holds a charge brilliantly, but only a very small charge. I've never worried so much about forgetting the lights!

KISSMYAURA · Dec 23, 2017

TAYNA batteries, google em , cannot praise them enough,
V Fast del, very well packed, Enduroline (Varta underneath)
4 year guarantee
Recommend C31-1000 Enduroline Car Battery 12V 120Ah 950 CCA
Fitted one of these, to Def TD5 its almost as powerful as the engine! Perfect fit and better spec than original.

Wilson90 · Dec 23, 2017

KISSMYAURA said:
TAYNA batteries, google em , cannot praise them enough,
V Fast del, very well packed, Enduroline (Varta underneath)
4 year guarantee
Recommend C31-1000 Enduroline Car Battery 12V 120Ah 950 CCA
Fitted one of these, to Def TD5 its almost as powerful as the engine! Perfect fit and better spec than original.

I'll bear that in mind mate, thank you.

Wilson90 · Dec 23, 2017

Further to the previous comments regarding batteries, I currently have an 096 code battery fitted and it has a fair amount to spare lengthwise in the battery housing, I'm away for the holidays now and not in a position to measure the tray, does anyone know what the biggest battery a 74 2 1/4 petrol can hold in a standard try is?

KISSMYAURA · Dec 24, 2017

When you get back.

Go to Tayna, hit search and enter the size of your 096 height, (or your space height if there is much of a difference) then measure your space for length and width, ( leave say 1.5 inches room ) enter that and hey presto! it will give you a few choices. Go for the one with the biggest CCA (cold cranking amps)
Just make sure you choose one with the terminals the same way around.

Hope that makes sense!

Wilson90 · Dec 24, 2017

KISSMYAURA said:
When you get back.

Go to Tayna, hit search and enter the size of your 096 height, (or your space height if there is much of a difference) then measure your space for length and width, ( leave say 1.5 inches room ) enter that and hey presto! it will give you a few choices. Go for the one with the biggest CCA (cold cranking amps)
Just make sure you choose one with the terminals the same way around.

Hope that makes sense!

That makes perfect sense, cheers mate, it'll be nice knowing it's likely to start in the mornings

KISSMYAURA · Dec 24, 2017

I keep my Def hooked up with this as soon as temp drops to freezing, or if Im not using it for a few days., it justs keep the batt in top charge and condition, i use it with a ctek charger I have wired in a waterproof metal cabinet on the side of garage, the connector is waterproof and has a cover when not in use. I used a 12v lighter water proof socket for motor bikes to pass the cables through the metal cabinet at base, so I can lock it and forget it.
All 12v batts suffer a 205 drop in power as soon as it goes below 0.c.

The main reason i got a defender is so I would not be dictated to by the weather when i can go out, seems daft to have such a capable vehicle that at the first sign of snow you cant start the bugger!

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