I hate electrics!!!

[jimberlake]

Managed to get the electric fan and sensor up and running well but while I was at it I thought I’d upgrade the charge wiring from the upgraded alternator to the remote relay/starter solenoid.
The new alternator has the Lucas 3 pin plug (one thick brown wire to the remote relay and a thinner wire I guess goes to the indicator lamp for a sensing switch). The new alternator also has the more modern connectors with nuts such as B+ etc.
I assumed I could just run a thick 110amp cable from the newer B+ Terminal on the alternator back To the remote relay terminal (where the original thick brown wire went) and then disconnect the old thick brown wire at the relay end leaving to sensing wire in place on the Lucas 3 pin plug. Fired her up expecting charge but no charging at all now - cannot get my head round it not sure how well I’ve explained that but am I missing something really obvious?

Thanks all

Jim

 

[Panky]

Sounds like all you have done if run a heavier gauge wire from the same terminals either end. Connect the original wire back up and see what happens.
Did you fit a new alternator at the same time?

 

[PaulJL]

You need to connect the thick brown wires to the starter solenoid.
Sounds like you have got the alternator sorted and the new cable to the solenoid OK but the power isn't getting through the solenoid back to the battery.
The brown wires and the new wire need to go to the same terminal on the relay/ solenoid

 

[jimberlake]

Cracking thanks guys - yep didn’t think you would keep the original thick brown charge wire from the 3 pin euro plug but you’re right it seems you keep that and simply add the new 110amp wire as extra from the B+ 60amp terminal, working a treat and never goes below 14.3v now with full beam, heater fan and everything on. Before it was dropping to nearly 13v so getting close to dodgy - with the new electric fan was worried it might tip it over the edge on tickover.
Panky - I Added a new 70amp alternator last year when the old one packed up at a campsite, all I could get at the time - it’s the newer A127 one.
Thanks again

 

[PaulJL]

No problems

 

[JJ Autosleeper]

Hi. Have you added a direct cable to the battery? This is what my auto electrician advised. See red cable in the diagram I drew. Seems to work but have not checked charging this way as my ammeter no longer works as it is out of circuit.

So an outstanding task is to remove the wiring to the ammeter in the instrument cluster as there is not much point in having one with the new A127. Must have been useful to keep an eye on the adjustment of the old one and the control box etc.

Will be replacing the ammeter with a temperature gauge.

 

[jimberlake]

Hi - yep now just added an extra cable direct(ish) to the battery, I.e. to the starter solenoid. Seems to have made a big difference to voltage drops when loading the system. I’ve already relayed the headlights direct to The battery which also helps keep the wiring cool. I’ve a volt meter in which is always good to check things are working.