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BMC 1.5 alternator replacement

Woody571980
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Woody571980 Gongoozler

Woody571980

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Hi, used the forum lots over the last few months to overcome various problems but now need help.

 

I have a BMC 1.5 with a standard alternator and it’s stopped producing a charge. Used a multimeter to check and it’s not putting any power out and not charging the batteries. I’ve checked all the connections and they seem fine. I did drop something heavy on it yesterday so I can only assume that’s what’s done it because it was working a few days ago.

 

is there a direct replacement I can get from the likes of Euro car parts quickly? 
 

I need to move the boat Monday so ideally want to get one tomorrow or today. I’m currently in Shardlow marina if that helps.

 

all help appreciated

 

 

Many thanks

Ben

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Tony Brooks Veteran II

Tony BrooksDonate to Canal World

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Posted (edited)

Yes, ask for a Lucas A127, but as yours looks like a Lucas ACR you may have to charge the/some cable terminals. It will give you at least another 5 amps output and probably more. I very much doubt it will be branded Lucas, more likely Prestolyte or no brand at all.

 

Be aware that the bus (metal tube) in the back mounting bracket slides, so it the brackets are too close together support the end bracket around the bush on a socket and TAP the bush back.

 

However, does the warning lamp come on with the ignition, if not you have probably knocked its cable off the alternator. A photo of the BACK where the cables are will show us.

 

If the white wire with the Scotchlok on it is the warning lamp  wire, then it is possible that the Scotchlok blade has cut the conductors, but if it is I am not sure what the brown wire paired with it is, unless it is feeding a slit charge relay.

Any half decent chandlers should stock A127s at the usual marine mark up.

 

I can't see dropping anything onto it would damage it, but as yours is probably 40 years old the brushes may have worn out

 

Tell us about what the warning lamp is doing..

Edited by Tony Brooks
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Woody571980 Gongoozler

Woody571980

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Hi, yes warning lamp comes on when ignition is on. The brown wire paired with the white wire goes to the split charge relay.

 

when I test the the think brown cable coming from the back of the alternator with the engine running it’s just staying at 12.7v
 

trying to find a Lucas A127 on euro car parts now!


thanks for the help.

 

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Tony Brooks Veteran II

Tony BrooksDonate to Canal World

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It may or may not have the blades for the main charging output (B+) but if not I suspect that Halfords type places may sell bolt on male blades that you can put on the studs so you don't have to change terminals.

 

Good luck with finding it listed as an A127 on the likes of the Eurocar site, but you might be lucky. Any members know the cars it was fitted to.

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pete.i Rising Star

pete.i

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I'm pretty sure that all the early 1977 cars I had had AC 127 alternators fitted. They were an Austin 1300, a MK3 Cortina, a 2.2 Rover and a Vauxhall Chevette. I went to Hyundai after those. The last one I bought for my boat with a BMC 1.5 I got from Ebay. That was a couple or three years ago.

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Tony Brooks Veteran II

Tony BrooksDonate to Canal World

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5 minutes ago, Woody571980 said:

If I find one :) thanks for all the help! 

 

I have been looking at images on the Europarts. There are some in their Ford area for things like Cortinas that look as f they will fit and they have blade terminals.

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Woody571980 Gongoozler

Woody571980

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1 minute ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Lancashire Rotating Electricals can get you one there tomorrow. And at a much better price than chandlers or Halfords.

That would be great but there website says they are closed tomorrow.

46 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Yes, ask for a Lucas A127, but as yours looks like a Lucas ACR you may have to charge the/some cable terminals. It will give you at least another 5 amps output and probably more. I very much doubt it will be branded Lucas, more likely Prestolyte or no brand at all.

 

Be aware that the bus (metal tube) in the back mounting bracket slides, so it the brackets are too close together support the end bracket around the bush on a socket and TAP the bush back.

 

However, does the warning lamp come on with the ignition, if not you have probably knocked its cable off the alternator. A photo of the BACK where the cables are will show us.

 

If the white wire with the Scotchlok on it is the warning lamp  wire, then it is possible that the Scotchlok blade has cut the conductors, but if it is I am not sure what the brown wire paired with it is, unless it is feeding a slit charge relay.

Any half decent chandlers should stock A127s at the usual marine mark up.

 

I can't see dropping anything onto it would damage it, but as yours is probably 40 years old the brushes may have worn out

 

Tell us about what the warning lamp is doing..

Warning lamp comes on and stays on.

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Woody571980 Gongoozler

Woody571980

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12 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

I have been looking at images on the Europarts. There are some in their Ford area for things like Cortinas that look as f they will fit and they have blade terminals.

I can see those ones. May have to whip it off and take it with me to euro car parts tomorrow 

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Tony Brooks Veteran II

Tony BrooksDonate to Canal World

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4 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Unless the D+ wire, small tag, is shorted to ground somewhere

 

True, but the photo shows that it still has its plastic terminal shroud in place, so that seems less likely to me, and is why I said 95%. It could be the split charge relay has shorted to negative as well.

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Jak Community Regular

Jak

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Posted (edited)

This. Fitted my 1.5 BMC and works well.  Quick delivery too.
 

 

View item.jpg


 

Obviously you can change the pulley, etc. over from your current unit if different. 

Edited by Jak
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Woody571980 Gongoozler

Woody571980

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8 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

True, but the photo shows that it still has its plastic terminal shroud in place, so that seems less likely to me, and is why I said 95%. It could be the split charge relay has shorted to negative as well.

Cable disconnected and light stays on? What next?

 

appreciate all the help here!

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Troyboy Community Regular

Troyboy

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50 minutes ago, pete.i said:

I'm pretty sure that all the early 1977 cars I had had AC 127 alternators fitted. They were an Austin 1300, a MK3 Cortina, a 2.2 Rover and a Vauxhall Chevette. I went to Hyundai after those. The last one I bought for my boat with a BMC 1.5 I got from Ebay. That was a couple or three years ago.

The Mark one Ford Escorts had 15ACR alternators as did the diesel Transit around the 1970's, Austin 1100 had 16and 17 ACR , MGB had 16ACR . Probably the most popular alternator at the time so shouldn't be too much of a problem sourcing one of those even on a Sunday.

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Tony Brooks Veteran II

Tony BrooksDonate to Canal World

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42 minutes ago, Woody571980 said:

Split charge disconnected and the light has gone off!

 

Reconnect the alternator but leave the relay disconnected and retry. If it charges, then you know the relay is causing the problem. Probably time for a VSR, but while you wait for that you can charge both banks by putting a jump lead between battery bank positives while the engine is running and take it off when you stop.

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Woody571980 Gongoozler

Woody571980

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3 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

Reconnect the alternator but leave the relay disconnected and retry. If it charges, then you know the relay is causing the problem. Probably time for a VSR, but while you wait for that you can charge both banks by putting a jump lead between battery bank positives while the engine is running and take it off when you stop.

Still no charge when I tried that. 
 

appreciate all the help people. Will head to euro car parts tomorrow. Take the old one with me and see if that one I put above matches.

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