Autoelectrical Installation
Alternators
Starter Motors
Batteries
Onboard Power
Email EnquiryNarrowboat & Canal Barge Alternator supply - Shropshire UK
Tel: 07703 558610
| Narrowboat Alternators | Canal Barge Alternators | Marine Boat Alternators |
| Heavy Duty Alternators | ||
| Industrial Engine Alternators |
Supplier of 12v or 24v alternators brand new outright
or factory service exchange alternators rebuilt to manufacturers specification carrying manufacturer standard warranty*
Alternator repair component parts also available.
Please use the enquiry form below for replacement alternator mail order prices
Completion of all form fields is not mandatory - information helps.
Please include any part numbers to assist alternator identification
Alternator Testing
Local facilities to test many alternators for charging output in situ if accessible or by free run bench test.
Services include strip, test, repair and rebuild of vehicle alternators to component level.
Alternator Repair Service Shropshire
Cost effective specialist alternator repairs may include bench test or strip and test of individual alternator components then replacement such as fitting of a diode pack, bearings or voltage regulator to get your old alternator working again or fitting of a complete brand new or service exchange unit.
Alternator repair cost price ?
Repair of your existing alternator can offer a cheaper solution than replacing a complete unit but this depends on which component has failed. Minimum repair cost is normally above £50 taking account of labour. To purchase a complete alternator as aftermarket spare parts would be much more expensive than a mass produced factory built unit.
Alternator Parts Supply
Supply of brand new oe and aftermarket alternator rebuild parts including diode rectifier pack - voltage regulator - bearings - rotor - stator - slip rings - casings - fasteners . Pleae note, alternator oe part numbers are required to source components. Most alternator parts can be sourced for next working day subject to time of order.
Mobile On Site Alternator Fitting in Shropshire and Mid Wales
*Vehicle breakdown callout alternator supply & fitting service (on site where possible)
available to Shrewsbury, & surrounding Local Shropshire areas.
Many 12v and 24 volt automotive alternator removals and replacements can be carried out on site.
Rotating electrics fitting service operated in Shropshire areas.
Battery test and vehicle charging system testing available.
Troubleshooting of alternator charging circuit problems
Auto electrical diagnostics wiring faultfinding and repair.
Test and repair facilities for many units
Common Alternator Wiring Terminal Letter Designations
B+ , 30, Battery Positive
S, M, 2, Battery Voltage Sense
B- , 31, D-,GRD Battery Negative
F, DF , 67 , FLD , EXC, Field/Rotor
D+, 61 , L , IND, Charge Warning Lamp
IG, 15 , R , Ignition
N, C, Central Point
W, P, STA, Tachograph rev counter (stator single phase tap AC output)
D Dummy
Please Check the manufacturers instructions for specific application of wiring terminal designation.
Alternator FAQ list
Alternator function and Off Grid living:
The engine driven alternator is an electrical power generator supplying energy to recharge engine starter and auxilliary batteries as well as supplying electricity for low voltage vehicle electrical systems such as lighting, wipers, heater , radio , etc whilst the diesel engine is running. Batteries may be used as a power source for off grid living.
Alternators generate AC (Alternating current ) converted to DC (direct current) by the alternator rectifier (diode pack)
ROTATING ELECTRICS
The term Rotating Electrics refers to Alternators, Dynamos, and Starter Motors
The Alternator is generally engine driven by drive belt connected to the crankshaft pulley , or coupling to shaft drive or gear drive. If drive belt driven correct belt tension is essential. The alternator must be mounted securely to enable it to be driven efficiently. Broken or loose mounting brackets can result in loss of drive belt tension and subsequent loss of alternator charging performance.
Alternator lifespan -
Alternator lifespan of a motor car alternator is 100,000 to 200,000 miles, dependant upon operating conditions such as environment, temperature, driving cycle, maintenance, etc.Alternator premature failure causes
Engine oil and fluids leaking on to the unit.
Incorrect or poor electrical connection
Voltage Spikes eg from jump starting
Overload
High Output Alternator
A higher output alternator may be required when additional accessories are fitted or a auxilliary battery banks are fitted
The vessel designer calculates the power output of the alternator required for each boat with regard to original equipment fitment. Increasing the load on a vehicles electrical system may require an alternator system upgrade including cable. Special purpose vehicles with split charge dual battery systems may be fitted with an additional alternator or battery charging management system.
How Alternators Work
The vehicle alternator is normally engine driven via an auxilliary drive belt or sometimes direct drive and works by the principle of Magnetic induction ; When a conductor such as a wire moves through the lines of force of a magnetic field, a voltage is induced in the conductor. Whether the conductor moves in relation to the magnetic field or vice versa the principle is the same.
Alternator Rotor
The Alternator Rotor consists of a central shaft, coil winding and magnetic claw poles.
The rotor assembly is supported on bearings. The alternator rotor and bearings rotate as it is driven from the engine.
Excitation current is passed to the rotor via copper slip rings which causes the electromagnet alternator rotor winding to magnetise when energised creating a magnetic field.
The alternator rotor may fail due to open or short circuit in the winding or break down of insulation. A bent or misaligned rotor shaft could cause vibration. Worn alternator bearings can also cause noise and vibration.
Alternator Excitation : Power is supplied to EXCITE the rotor to create a magnetic field. (excitation current is required to create a magnetic field unless permanent magnets are used ) Some alternators are SELF-EXCITED, this means after the rotor is initially excited a wire connected to the stator taps some of the power generated to keep the rotor excited and power generation in progress whilst the rotor is spinning. The brush pack or brushes form the means of connecting the spinning rotor copper slip rings to the excitation power source. Worn brushes and worn slip rings can prevent excitation current passing to the rotor causing the alternator to fail to charge.
Alternator Stator
The stator normally consists of three windings of reasonably heavy gauge copper wire connected in Star or delta formation around a soft iron laminated core sandwiched between the alternator housing. Stator windings may be connected to the rectifier pack by soldering or on higher output applications by laser or resistance welding.
The electrical power output of the alternator is generated in the stator as a 3 phase alternating current (a.c.)
Alternator Voltage Regulation
The alternator voltage regulator functions to limit alternator output voltage to prevent overcharging of vehicle batteries which would cause electrolyte to boil off and cell failure (the rotten egg smell). Excessive voltage also causes havoc with electronic control units ,motor speed regulation, and bulbs to blow.
Control of the alternator rotor excitation current proportionally controls magnetic field strength.
Excitation field power control is used to regulate alternator output by means of the Voltage regulator.
With ECU regulated systems, the duty cycle of the excitation current can be reflected as a feedback signal to measure
the amount of alternator capacity being used via the DFM signal terminal (DF Monitor).
Rectifier Diodes
A diode acts like a non return valve in an electrical circuit allowing current to flow one way.
The initial 3 phase alternating current (a.c.) output produced from the alternator
stator cannot be used to recharge vehicle batteries so has to be converted to direct current (d.c.).
The process of converting AC power to DC power is known as rectification.
The rectification is done by the Diode pack (a diode acts like a one way valve in an electrical circuit).
Car alternators are Three Phase AC generators with rectification to DC.
The DC voltage level produced by the alternator must be slightly higher than battery voltage to allow the battery to charge.
The Diode pack has a secondary function when the ignition key is off to prevent power draining from the vehicle battery via the alternator windings which would cause the battery to discharge.
The diode bridge is connected to stator wires. Jump starting, reverse polarity, and voltage spikes can cause alternator diode failure leading to the alternator not charging. Diode failure can be diagnosed by oscilloscope signal testing of the alternator with the engine running , or by multimeter diode test function. Diode packs can be supplied seperately.
Insulated Return
Insulated return alternators are often fitted to lessen the chance of galvanic corrosion of metal structures. Insulated return alternator units are fitted with both B+ (battery positive) and B- (battery negative) terminals for wiring connection instead of using the alternator casing as a ground path.
Symptoms of a faulty alternator
The first sign of an alternator or charging system fault is often indicated to the driver by illumination of the instrument panel battery charge warning light whilst the engine is running followed by gradual loss of electrical power until the engine cuts out and fails. Low battery voltage may mean the starter motor clicks or does not operate preventing the vehicle engine from being started .
Battery light staying on ? Have the vehicle battery and vehicle electrical charging system tested.
A visual check with the engine stopped should be carried out to ensure the alternator is secure and drive belt correctly
tensioned. Also check for oil ,fuel or coolant leaks which may have caused the alternator to fail.
Check all connections are tight and wires are in good condition. Check all heat shields are in place .
A quick test to diagnose a failed alternator is to measure battery voltage with the engine off using a multimeter set to dc volts range.
Start the engine and run at fast idle or above whilst monitoring battery voltage reading which should have increased slightly
if the alternator is charging the battery.
Incorrect alternator output voltage ( alternator overcharging or undercharging ) can affect sensitive vehicle computer systems and related systems.
Typical battery voltage for a 12 volt system would be :
- Engine off : 12.5 volts
- Engine running at 2000 rpm : 13.2 to 14.6 volts at battery(regulated voltage)
- A battery voltage indicated above 15 volts with the engine running on vehicles with a standard 12v charging system often indicates a fault though vehicle manufacturers specification should be checked to verify because certain vehicle alternators may regulate charge at higher levels .
Potential causes of excess Alternator noise
Excess drive belt tension
Insufficient drive belt tension may cause a squealing noise.
Bearing failure
Stator winding fault causing phase imbalance
Noisy one way clutch pulley may indicate that the drive pulley needs renewal. These are available seperately but may require special tools to fit.
What causes Alternator output to fail ?
Common causes of alternator failure are:
Broken or defective wiring to the alternator.
Wear and tear ; Worn out brushes ,sliprings, bearing failure, diode pack failure.
Excessive drive belt tension causing premature bearing failure.
Insecure mounting bolts / bracket causing insufficient drive belt tension.
Poor electrical connection causing high resistance and leading to overheating.
Electrical overload due to a defective battery or fitment of vehicle accessories, or vehicle wiring faults.
Inadequate ventilation and cooling. Dusty working conditions (particularly for tractors combines and construction plant working in agricultural and site environments) can cause dirt and dust to be sucked in to the alternator by the alternator cooling fan, a build up of dust can cause overheating of components such as diodes resulting in failure.
Voltage surge caused by boost starting using jump leads without surge protection. (Diode failure)
Oil, fuel or coolant leaks onto the alternator.
Water leaks on to the alternator : Water entering an air cooled alternator can cause problems particularly in Winter when at freezing temperatures the water turns to ice causing internal component damage .
Fuel consumption and Alternator load
Electrical power generation is used to recharge batteries and supply auxilliary electrical loads. Reducing power consumption can be aided by installing low power consumption equipment such as led lighting and being aware of energy usage by different appliances. Solar panel charging systems may be used to provide substitute battery charging but have limitations especially in winter months when daylight hours are reduced.
Alternator translated : Alternateur Alternador Alternatore Dynamo Generatoren Lichtmaschine 发电机 алтернатор
The Shropshire and Mid Wales Canal Network
The canal network forms part of Britains heritage as the national transport infrastructure for moving the nations goods prior to railways and road haulage. Water transport along canals was slow paced but with the advantage of considerable carrying capacity. In present times, Great Britains canal network of waterways provides both leisure touring holiday and living space. The Shropshire and Welsh border waterways include the Shropshire Union Canal and also the Llangollen and Montgomery canal sections of which restoration is a continuing process. Mowing boats, weed harvesters , cutters and dredgers may be used for canal and waterway clearance.
Off Grid living on Canal Barges
Where a shore power electrical hook up does not exist, an Off Grid Power system may consist of batteries as an electrical power storage reservoir supplying 12 volt lighting and heating systems or an inverter to increase voltage to 230v for domestic electrical equipment such as television sets. Batteries may be recharged by the engine driven alternator, wind generator, or by solar panels at respective varying rates of charge. Emergency standby power may be provided by a seperate engine driven generator.