55 amp small alternator

[Robbie224]

1971 GT at the moment has what I can only describe as a large alternator which in length almost cover the view of the oil filter housing looking down towards engine bay. Seen some minis with short alternators that look better takes up less room. Has anyone got one fitted they could recommend? Thanks

[Richspec]

I got the dsn small alternator fitting kit then sourced one of the alternators off ebay (40amp?), as their price was taking the proverbial.
Also run one of the more expensive small motorsport 50amp ones but does require entirely custom brackets in my application.

[Robbie224]

It's the dsn alternator I'm thinking of getting. Is 40amp enough? One on mini now is 45amp I think.
Saw one fitting to a mini looked good.

[Peter Laidler]

Ever considered one of the early little Lucas ACR's. Quite short/small and the bracketry is easy to get, easy to fit and better still, they were a standard fitment

[Robbie224]

I haven't considered those. Wasn't sure what they were. Did a search for lucus early ACR alternator they seem similar size to what I already have.

[Richspec]

It's the dsn alternator I'm thinking of getting. Is 40amp enough? One on mini now is 45amp I think.
Saw one fitting to a mini looked good.

It does depend on the amount of electrics you run ultimately. when buying the 40 i figured 'it'll be right' in time honoured fashion. That was for a riley elf with all lighting on leds's, no spots, no radio.

[Peter Laidler]

Once again Rich has answered in his straight-to-the-point way. Just how much output do you REALLY need. Not what you WANT, but what you need. It looks like you're keeping your GT pretty standard-ish.

[Robbie224]

GT is very much standard only added feature is a Motorola 1970s radio with blue tooth. I'm fairly sure alternator in car at moment is a 45 amp works perfectly but it's to large for my liking.
Going for a Retro Sport DSN small 40 amp alternator.

[W1NG3D]

Hey, nice to see you and chat for a while at Port Solent, it was me with the MK1 and the small distributor in the engine bay

If all you're running above and beyond the standard electrics is an aftermarket radio (without any high power amps or subwoofers etc!), 40 amps should be more than sufficient in my opinion. I say this on the basis that aftermarket radios have been successfully fitted to dynamo-equipped minis, and those old dynamos are only rated for a 22 amp output.

You might well be able to source the same or similar alternator a bit more cheaply elsewhere but the DSN fittings are excellent, and will come in a nice anodised black finish which would match your engine bay perfectly.

[snoopy64]

Hi

I have a std dynamo powering a radio and phone charger…

[Spider]

GT is very much standard only added feature is a Motorola 1970s radio with blue tooth. I'm fairly sure alternator in car at moment is a 45 amp works perfectly but it's to large for my liking.
Going for a Retro Sport DSN small 40 amp alternator.

I'd suggest a Lucas 15ACR, these are ff hand around 35 amp and will power all the normal stuff with a bit up the sleeve to run some decent headlights and even some small wattage driving lights. It will fit up with all off the shelf standard brackets and use a standard 11A825 fan belt. Even your wiring would need very little modification. It will also look 'correct' for the car.

No matter how small an alternator you go to, while some take up less pace than others, the practical difference in giving access to various items pretty much remains unchanged.

[1071 S]

Rather than a Mini specialist you'll probably do better at a generic auto electrical supplier. When my old 17ACR was getting a bit recalcitrant I went to the local Hella supplier. They had a (non-Chinese) 70W unit that came with a couple of pulley and spacer options at avery reasonable cost.

It may sound bit of an overkill but with 100w headlights with 2x100w spots + (possibly) the heater, wipers, stereo, ignition and a bit of battery charge you can't be too miserly..

Cheers, Ian

[Peter Laidler]

Another good straight talkin' suggestion from Spider. Lucas ACR type, self contained. No need to over egg your pudding

[Robbie224]

Yes I remember your mini at port solent. Nice talking with you to. Definitely impressed how the DSN looked in your engine bay. Still considering which way to go . Leave what I have period correct or something like your small and neat
Rob

[Mini-geek]

I have the DSN alternator kit (I've bought a lot of their stuff it's excellent stuff and their customer service is brilliant)

I bought an SA073 alternator on eBay I have fuel injection so it's running a fuel pump too and it's been fine

You do have to run an ignition live (I think) to the alternator and I made a new wire to go from the alternator to the starter.

[Peter Laidler]

Another point we all seem to ignore, that is relevant here is that all the electrical gubbins in the car are fed FROM the battery. NOT the dynamo or the alternator, but from the battery. All the Generator or alternator (which is just an alternating current generator don't forget) does is to feed the battery and NOT the running electrics such as the wipers and lights etc.

[Ronnie]

Advert from MotorSport April 1966

[surfblue63]

Another point we all seem to ignore, that is relevant here is that all the electrical gubbins in the car are fed FROM the battery. NOT the dynamo or the alternator, but from the battery. All the Generator or alternator (which is just an alternating current generator don't forget) does is to feed the battery and NOT the running electrics such as the wipers and lights etc.

Are you sure about that. The dynamo is connected to the starter solenoid and the electrical system via the voltage regulator, not direct to the battery.

You should just be thinking worst case scenario here. On a wet dark night you will be using ignition system, full beams, gauge lighting, gauges, wipers, heater fan, indicators, brake lights and electric fuel pump if fitted, optional driving/fog lamps, optional heated rear window, optional radio/blue tooth, optional phone charging...

Just add up what the maximum draw could be and size the charging apparatus accordingly. PS the Mpi Rover Mini uses a 65 amp alternator, obviously due to the fuel system and extra gubbins from the mems system

[Peter Laidler]

I get that Surfy. I was going to add to what I said above, something like '....while this isn't exactly correct, it is in essence.....' Just see what happens - or DOESN'T happen - if the control box/voltage reg fails

[snoopy64]

It’s all another good reason to swap out as many bulbs for LED as possible and fit and electronic regulator in my experience … then there’s plenty for the heater, wipers, radio and phone charger…