Engine and Transmission Tech

tips, technology, tools and techniques related to vehicle driveline components

Go to Thread: Previous•Next
Go to: Forum List•Message List•New Topic•Log In


BMC
Brian Mc Cullough
Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA
(383 posts)

Registered:
10/30/2007 02:27AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi

authors avatar
Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: BMC
Date: March 16, 2009 03:44PM

I am looking for a very small alternator for the Mini DOHC project. Some 215 V8s have used a Denso and some others have spoke of small tractor alternators. Anyone have any ideas?

-BMC.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: March 16, 2009 03:57PM

Well, there is a very small Denso alternator that was used on Geo Metro's and put out about 30 amps. It's the smallest passenger car alternator I've seen and I used one on my roadster for several years before upgrading to the larger Denso alternator that puts out around 75-100 amps due to adding fuel injection. I have a couple of estate tractors though and theirs are quite small. I'll try to look at that for you.

Jim


DC Townsend
David Townsend
Vermont
(406 posts)

Registered:
11/21/2007 12:22PM

Main British Car:
'78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump

authors avatar
Re: Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: DC Townsend
Date: March 16, 2009 04:23PM

You might also try Jones Racing. They sell a number of mini-alternators starting at about 65 amps weighing only 6 pounds up to a 140 amp version at about 13 pounds. The 65 amp version look tiny.
Get Your BritishV8 T-shirt by clicking here


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: March 16, 2009 05:20PM

OK Brian, here's the scoop. The Massey 1233 (which is a 30hp Iseki 3 cylinder diesel) uses the same small Denso alternator. Not a whole lot bigger than your fist:

MVC-168S.JPG

The Yanmar F17D which is a 21hp 3 cyl. diesel uses a different item, pancake style 2 wire unit, probably quite low output. It is quite a bit larger in diameter than the Denso but also thinner:

MVC-167S.JPG

Of the two I would pick the Denso every time. It is much easier to find and is very typical in operation. The Yanmar unit might very likely be single phase, similar to many earlier dirt bikes. (as opposed to 3 phase used in most alternators.)

Jim


NixVegaGT
Nicolas Wiederhold
Minneapolis, MN
(659 posts)

Registered:
10/16/2007 05:30AM

Main British Car:
'73 Vega GT 4.9L Rover/Buick Stroker

authors avatar
Re: Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: NixVegaGT
Date: March 20, 2009 11:41AM

Wow. Good info. I really like those Jones Racing alternators. So what is the difference between the 1-wire and 2-wire units? One is a ground or something? Or it's automatically switched or something?

On the serpentine belt system: Is the stock Rover main pulley 5-groove? Seems like a good upgrade.


DC Townsend
David Townsend
Vermont
(406 posts)

Registered:
11/21/2007 12:22PM

Main British Car:
'78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump

authors avatar
Re: Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: DC Townsend
Date: March 20, 2009 06:04PM

Call the folks at Jones. They know their stuff and are nice to deal with. Prices are competitive for similar products.


Dave
David Gable
Jax
(112 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 05:40AM

Main British Car:
Re: Smallest alternator possible?
Posted by: Dave
Date: March 21, 2009 06:45AM

I've run a Metro alternator on my '66 for years. I found a rebuilt one at the U Pullit for $10. Had it tested and it puts out 52 amps. The alternator shop sold me a V groove pulley for $5.



Go to: Forum List•Message List•New User Registration•Log In
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.