Alternator

If you're uprating beyond about 35-40Amps then you will need to use both large spade connectors on the alternator and double up on the thick wire from the alternator to the battery (or wherever it goes on a petrol van). As long as a 40A alternator is working OK and your fan belt is tight it should cope with most conditions and there is no advantage in fitting a larger one, but if you have rows of extra lights and/or a fridge then a small alternator might struggle in the cold, dark and wet.
 
Best checking output first direct from the alt as getting 11v is usually something else such as a bad earth or a breakdown in the wiring from alt to battery. Worth checking these first before spending on a new one.
 
I did this a few months ago, nice satisfying job. Check the wires to the slip plate - they are very thin and could possibly break.
 
In that case suspect the voltage regulator. I don't know if Lucas regulators break often. I'm more used to Bosch, where the regulators and brushes come as one piece, and usually last about 100K miles before needing replacement. My Volvo is on its 3rd regulator/brush pack.

With the whole kit costing that little it's well worth renewing all the bits anyway.
 
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