Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,649
Club RR Member Number: 1
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Born SlippyNathan
@bgtmidget7476
Club Retro Rides Member 1
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Feb 19, 2006 19:52:34 GMT
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;D Right then I think I am going totally bonkers. As most of you are aware I have fitted these Whooping great spot lamps to the from of the GT, Generally to give me less of a chance of hitting anything in the dark as the Standard lamps are Sh*t to say the very least. So today I set about wiring them up, now I did not want to feed them into the Loom as this has got to be the most stupid idea on a British Car (as you know) so I created a Full new Harness for them, Basically Running them From the Dead Key in the floor, to the switch to the Lamps with various Fuses in between. (Please note the lamps are not on one single wire but multiple) This is all good and well and they are Fookin bright. BUT here is the problem and I think it may be just me being a Tw*t. I start the car flick the normal lights on and give her a bit of a Rev ALL fine. I then wait for the Revs to Idle then Flick on the Spots too Rev once more and SQEEEEEEEELLLLL as if the fan belt is loose. So with out any thought I Tighten up the fan belt, but still the same. At this point i think SOD it and fit a new Belt, but still the same. However this what got me thinking the Belt does not squeel when the Spots are not on, it totally fine and dandy, So am I going mad and is the Load on the Alternator making it squeel (Can this be true), is the load somehow slowing the Alternator down. Please someone rescue me as this is weired.
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Feb 19, 2006 19:54:58 GMT
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used to get that on the mini, so yeah it might be, but I'm a complete with cars so someone on here will properly help you :-)
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Feb 19, 2006 20:00:02 GMT
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this sometimes happens on my benz when ive got the stereo wound up. I'm no expert but i think its the alternator shouting for help, cos it cant supply enough current. *shouting, lager lager.....etc ;D
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Feb 19, 2006 20:00:37 GMT
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Basically the more power you need to generate the more resistance there is to turning the alternator. This is down to the effects of magnetic fields and electicity passing through wound coils but electrics really isn't my strong point so lets just say its magic, it might as well be.
This does two things, one it makes the fan belt slip and two it increases the parasitic losses on your motor meaning wasted BHP.
Could you use a toothed belt or something?
This is why modern motors use those serpentine belts with teeth. 120 - 130 amp alternators take some turning.
A more efficient alt off a modern motor might well help you out.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Feb 19, 2006 20:02:01 GMT
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oh, tonycocacolas post makes me thing also - you have checked its not a bearing failing int he alt and not the belt slipping you can hear?
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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onlyrwd
Part of things
'78 Cavalier 4 door / '78 Manta Berlinetta
Posts: 469
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Feb 19, 2006 20:02:25 GMT
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The more load you put on an Alternator, the harder it is to turn. If the belt is a bit loose then it may slip. After a while the belt get polished on the sides of the 'v', if it keeps doing it, get a new belt and keep it tight.....
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Mick Gradually trying to own one of everything
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Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,649
Club RR Member Number: 1
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Born SlippyNathan
@bgtmidget7476
Club Retro Rides Member 1
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Feb 19, 2006 20:07:25 GMT
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Ahh right the Belt is Toothed but the pulleys are not however the Uprated Alternators have. My next question is:
If this is the cause what harm is it doing, I guess the alternator will pack up at some point which is fine?
And the second question is
Uprated alternators, are they wise on motors which 30+ years old Looms which were desigend by a guy who thinks Spade connectors should not be insulated?
Reason being is that i am guessing the uprated alternator give out more current to aid with these issues, but the wiring what feeds to batteries from this is OLLLLLLDDDDDDDDDD. (knew i should of re-wired it on the resto)
Cheers guys
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thevert
Part of things
Mini builder
Posts: 358
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Feb 19, 2006 20:24:25 GMT
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in the mean time, you can get machine belt grip. Its a spray and cost about a fiver a tin. Sorry i cant remember where i seen it
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Feb 19, 2006 20:33:16 GMT
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What size bulbs have you got in the spots ? and how have you wired them up? Should be relayed, and only come on with main beam This keeps the load on the wiring down as the high current only goes a short distance though heavy duty cable. I have fitted a relayed headlamp loom to the Kadett with 80w100w Bulbs and that sucks a fair amount of Power from the engine.... revs rise by 3-400rpm when the lights are switched off Sounds like you need to check your wiring and if you havent already, run a 30-40A relay to switch current to the lights This may help... HTH Dom
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Born SlippyDeleted
@Deleted
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Feb 19, 2006 20:33:37 GMT
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The problem could be that the spots are drawing directly off the alternator instead of out the battery. The current will be drawn from the path of least resistance so if the wires leading to the alternator provide an easier route than the wires leading to the battery then it will attempt to get most of its power from the alternator. Basically you need big F-off wires leading to the battery so when you make big current demands it can deep draw out the battery and the alternator is free to recharge it in its own time. It sounds like you're stalling the alternator by loading it up too much.
Also make sure the belt is tight enough if it's slipping! it won't do it any harm, it's just noisy.
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Mr K
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,993
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Feb 19, 2006 20:38:21 GMT
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in the mean time, you can get machine belt grip. Its a spray and cost about a fiver a tin. Sorry i cant remember where i seen it is it a contact adhesive? i would say that would work pretty well.
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Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,649
Club RR Member Number: 1
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Born SlippyNathan
@bgtmidget7476
Club Retro Rides Member 1
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Feb 19, 2006 21:01:58 GMT
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Cheers Guys
DOM the Spots are wired on their own and only come on when a seperate Switch is Engaged, Sounds like your right about the relay though.
Basically they are wired up like this,
4 Spots in totaly
2 Top spots are wired together and go down thier own 17Amp wire with a 15 Amp fuse About quater the way down the cable to the switch. from the switch the wire then goes directly to the battery using once again 17Amp wire and another 15 Amp fuse.
The other 2 spots are wired the same. but on their own cable
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Feb 19, 2006 21:07:47 GMT
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What Wattage Bulbs though and yes you do want to relay them
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