Alternator Type

[William2]

Is it ok to fit a higher output 55 amp alternator or could it cause any problems?

[billwill]

It's said that you won't need one.

Depends a bit on what accessories/ headlamps you want to fit.

Probably the only extra mod required would be a thicker wire from alternator to wherever it connects to your circuit (possibly old or dummy dynamo control box) and the brown wire from the solenoid to the same area etc, i.e ensure that the wire path from the alternator all the way to the battery can safely carry a sustained 55 amps.


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It's handy that the newer Electricity wiring regulations require wire which is brown for live. If you contact any electricians they may be able to give/sell you an offcut of Oven/Hob cabling wire and you can strip off the outer insulation to get a nice thick brown wire and also a handy blue one that you can use for other purposes.

[UAB807F]

As Bill says, the only thing that comes to mind is the wiring loom capacity because it's quite a jump from the OEM dynamo to a 55amp alternator.

I find this place quite handy for wiring information, they show current capacity & how many strands make up the wire, so you get an idea of how flexible it will be which might be important where vibration is concerned.

No personal connections other than I found it when I wanted to replace some wiring.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/cable/standardcable.php

Brian

[RichardHawkins]

Auto Electric Supplies Ltd also sell a large range of cables and other components that you might find useful. The catalogue is very similar to Vehicle Wiring Products, but there are a few things that one company stocks but the other does not. AES can be found at www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk

Regards,

Richard Hawkins

[stugilmour]

Maybe not an issue for the OP as I believe he is working on an Elan. For the Plus 2 with its stock ammeter, the extra charging capacity of the alternator may take the gauge out of range. I replaced the ammeter with a voltmeter as per the recommendation in my Plus 2 WSM.