how far on battery alone?

[baileyman]

About an hour.

I think this is a Chinese copy of Nipon Denso but I have no numbers to go from. Does it look familiar to you? Then I will get the same case style so my brackets will still work.

John

[Slowtus]

How far?

Depends, I was driving back from Switzerland one time at night and the ignition light came on, lights dimmed etc - faulty gen/alternator, it was back in the early '70s.

Pulled over and slept until morning and drove back to Belgium on battery plus a little help from the gen/alt as the light was still flickering.

Depends.

[pharriso]

Sorry, couldn't resist....

[h20hamelan]

And you will be sad when the new Chinese components in your Japanese alternator fail.
Spend more money, and buy new from Japanese car dealer. Avoid Chinese aftermarket or rebuilt with offshore or Chinese components.

[baileyman]

Does anyone recognize the case and associated model number so I can find a good one? Thx. John

[webbslinger]

A good Japanese onr is a Denso 43720. It is a nice fit. I have about 25k miles on mine ... so far.

[TBG]

How far on battery...............

"I have about 25k miles on mine ... so far."

I find I get much further if I start the engine....................!!!

[Andy8421]

How far on battery alone ...

Assuming:

Daytime driving - everything off except the engine
Fully charged standard battery (approx 40AH)
3 ohm coil, with points closed approx 3/4 of the time
Add an amp for the instruments

Total load approx 4 amps

All other things being equal (and they rarely are), 10 hours.

[silverlink]

I well remember back in the 80's my dynamo packed up on my Sprint when I was out doing photos of Cumbrian Mountain Express steam train at Garsdale on the Settle/Carlisle line. I drove all the way back to Scarborough on the battery (120 miles). Stopped a couple of times at outskirts of towns to let it cool down so as not to use fan but got home with no running problems.
Fault turned out to be a broken bearing needing a new dynamo.
Ian

[baileyman]

Well, the alternator casing is a common one for Kubota tractors and other agricultural engines. Easily available for $65, or you can pay more. It's a nice size for that tight spot, but especially nice since my brackets are already altered for it.

John

[prezoom]

Same as Suzuki Swift/Metro Geo. I got the one on the Elan from a PickAPart. The same unit is used on the Plus2.
If you choose to use the used part from a yard, be sure to take the wiring harness plug along with it. Reconditioned ones should be available from any of the auto parts stores.

[baileyman]

Oh yeah. Finding plugs otherwise is voluntary brain surgery. John

[mbell]

The other (US specific) advantage of the small tractor alternator are they are a lot more likely to find one in smaller town USA in either tractor store or car parts place than the original ACR17. So are less likely to need to flatten the battery trying to get somewhere with a replacement alternator.

[StressCraxx]

The last time my generator (dynamo) died, it was the brushes that went to ground. The Lucas Smoke quickly also fried the Control Box as well. I converted to an alternator kit..

I learned the little alternator doesn't like to spin to more than 6500RPM like the Twincam, so I loosened the belt.
I found a replacement one with a "lifetime warranty" at a local parts store for $85.

I kept the box, it's WorldParts #14684N with a second number AL12D1

It's from a 1989 to 1991 Suzuki Samurai or a Geo Metro.