Date:         Thu, 5 Jul 2001 14:07:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 130Amp alternator upgrade?
Comments: To: FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Can we get some pictures on this?


>From: Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: 130Amp alternator upgrade?
>Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 03:20:32 EDT
>
>For the past 4 or more years I have been using the Bosch adjustable voltage
>regulator. I set the maximum voltage at 14.10 volts at the terminal of the
>auxiliary battery. This turns out to be 14.12 +/- 0.02 volts at the main
>battery.
>
>As I have detailed before, I had my alternator rebuilt at one of the LA
>area
>alternator jobbers. We combined the front section from a Diesel vanagon
>with
>the maximum number of diodes that Bosch provided (think it is the diode
>plane
>for a Porsche 928) and the back-end from a Porsche 944. this latter detail
>was so that I could mount the air cover from the 944 over the back of the
>alternator. This cover is then connected by flexible rubber tube to a fan
>blower (the fuel injector cooling fan from the Audi 5000 Turbo) sitting
>just
>ahead of the transmission. The entry to the blower is a flattened scoop
>mounted at the base of the frame level to scoop cool air while moving.
>Remember, the major source of failure of the alternator is the loss of
>diodes
>due to excessive heat. The engine compartment in the rear of the vanagon is
>one of the hottest such zones put together by a major manufacturer.
>
>As I recall, the alternator was rated around 150 amps. Not sure, but it is
>easily equal to the 130 quoted before. I slipped the tech a spare $20 as I
>left and thought the money well spent.
>
>The shrouded alternator idea was a tip I got from listmember Alistair Bell.
>Haven't lost an alternator since, used to go through them every 18 months.
>Maybe it was 6 years ago, can't remember, neurons going, going ...
>
>Frank Grunthaner

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