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S1 80" Alternator install and battery

Hi

I own a 1952 LR S1 80" 2L petrol currently stored and off the road. I'm looking to get it back running again but want to make some changes to make it better suited to regular use. One of these is fitting an alternator. Now the current installation uses a very wide belt to drive the fan/water pump and dynamo. Does anyone know of a supplier of a pulley that will fit a Lucas 25ACR alternator to take this belt width? Also does anyone make a bracket to mount such an alternator on this engine block?

Also I am going to install a larger than standard battery - problem is I'm not able to get to the vehicle at the mo to measure the space in the battery tray. I seem to remember I did put a 90Ah battery in there 20 some odd years ago and it fitted behind the headlight shell OK but I could do with a battery now for another job at home that can then end up on the S1 but don't want to buy one that won't fit - could someone stick their head under the bonnet of their 80" and see what length/width/height of battery I could get away with please!

Many thanks

Jay

Reply to
Jay Hendry
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Excuse me if this reply comes up twice, bit of a problem with Google, but I've waited all day to see if my first reply appeared.

Anyway, I've did the alternator mod on my 1952 2l 80 some years ago so I can't remember the details but I'm pretty certain the dynamo pulley will fit a Lucas alternator as the shafts are the same diameter. As to mounting it I used a length of threaded rod (studding) for the top mounts with an appropriate number of nuts and probably a bit of tube as a spacer. I can't remember if I used the original adjustment bar, but it's a simple enough thing to make one of the right length. I did use the original belt.

If you'd like some photos let me know, our front wings are off at the moment so photography would be easy.

My 80 is a trialer and at the time had an electric fan which is why I fitted the alternator. For a road going vehicle I don't think I'd bother, the dynamo is quite adequate for the low electrical load on an S1. My road going 86 (also with electric fan) is still on the dynamo and I think is only on it's second battery in 15 years or so.

Gordon (In Kent if you want to meet up)

Reply to
gbubb

In news: snipped-for-privacy@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, snipped-for-privacy@drytecltd.com blithered:

I seem to recall alternators run faster than dynamos so one needs a smaller dia' pulley.

Reply to
GbH

snipped-for-privacy@drytecltd.com wrote in news:1121786108.728127.219180 @g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Hi

Thanks for the information - I'll be honest I haven't looked closely but can imagine what you mean although another poster mentioned about the speed and I seem to remember alternators having smaller drive pulleys? I guess on the need front I'd probably not push it too much but I did fit Hella halogen replacement headlamps, a pair of Cibie Oscar+ and a small electric winch to the land rover when it was last on the road 20+ years ago and have found the battery takes a bit to recover to as I was going to spend some time fettling I thought I'd do some mods at the same time. But it does start a treat on the handle so I could always fall back on that!

Jay (In sunny Shropshire)

Reply to
Jay Hendry

Alternators don't NEED to run faster - they can run at a higher speed, so manufacturers take advantage of this to gear them so that they charge at an idle. If you use the dynamo pulley you will find that the charge at an idle is pretty low, but that is all. It is not good practice to use the dashboard ammeter with an alternator, and the wiring may not be up to it, and in any case the voltage drop will ensure low charge rates compared to what the alternator is capable of. Either fit a shunt meter or dispense with an ammeter and fit a voltmeter. Run a heavy lead direct to the battery from the alternator. JD

Reply to
JD

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