Ex army v8 ignition problems

Technical questions and answers
Orange
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:24 am

Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Orange »

Hey guys new guy round here.

I'm in need of an alternator as its missing from when I brought the Landy.
And also if there's anyone around to give me some info on converting the ignition system from 24v to 12v
Cheers fellas
gingerwinky
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:18 pm

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by gingerwinky »

Hi and well done for buying an ex-army v8.

here are the part numbers I used to replace the alternator

alt110977 alternator this is a 55 amp one, at the time we couldn't get anything smaller
etc5815 200tdi power steering drive belt
err4519l v8 alternator bracket
bh506111l bolt
bh506201l bolt
bh50511l bolt

as for converting to 12v I haven't got round to that yet as donk is my daily drive

if you need any photos or have any questions give me a shout

andy
Orange
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:24 am

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Orange »

Thanks for your help man. Is that alternator a 24v one? Where did you get these parts from?
Love them that much I'm looking at getting another one haha. Are you from new Zealand?
If you could get a few pics too please that would be a huge help
gingerwinky
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:18 pm

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by gingerwinky »

just pm'd you

andy
disco2hse
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:51 am
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by disco2hse »

You can use any appropriate alternator from for example, Bosch. Just get any that matches the current and voltage requirements for Series III.

Changing over to 12V means changing starter motor, alternator, regulator/voltage stabilisers, stripping out the split charge capacitors, changing the gauges (ammeter, fuel, etc), any relays that exist (such as the fuel tanks switch over system) or may have been added over time, and you will need to remove the multi-alarm system. The wiring can stay.
Alan

1983 ex-army FFR 109 Stage 1
2005 Disco 2 HSE TD5
Orange
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:24 am

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Orange »

I just meant converting the ignition system to 12v cheers
disco2hse
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:51 am
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by disco2hse »

The present ignition system is already 12V.

If you still have the NZ Army ignition contraption beside the radiator, then part of that set up is a voltage reducer from 24V to 12V. You have a 12V Mallory coil in there too. These systems are very unreliable and I ripped mine out when it left me stranded in the middle of a forest for several hours until a tow arrived. Replaced with a couple of variations:
Attempt 1. Tried a voltage reducer (24 -> 12) and Mallory coil, Mallory ignitor and ballast resistor. The reducer got fried by the transient spikes in the electrical system, and the Mallory system burned out.
Attempt 2. Petronix coil and magnetic ignitor, taken from one of the batteries and a charge equaliser between the batteries so that one does not drain the other (shortening the life of both).

I am still using Attempt 2 five years later.

You could also continue with the present NZ Army system. It is fairly simplistic but you would need to carry a spare due to its unreliability. Mind you, I have a spare coil and ignitor, just in case.
Alan

1983 ex-army FFR 109 Stage 1
2005 Disco 2 HSE TD5
Orange
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:24 am

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Orange »

Oh cheers Alan thanks heaps. Where do you get the parts for the 2nd option? And how much?
disco2hse
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:51 am
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by disco2hse »

Got the Pertronix parts from Summit Racing. Good online store. Pertronix Ignitor II 9ML 182 [this is all you need for the ignition], Pertronix Flame Thrower II low resistance coil 0.6 ohms (matches the ignitor). Check their latest prices.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-9ml-182
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-45111

The charge equaliser I got from my local auto sparky, second hand. He used to use it on his tow truck to operate the lights and winch, so it is very heavy duty. You could use the Redarc model (http://www.capitalcivic.co.nz/product_d ... no=50-CE10). Mine has two 30A fuses and I have blown a few, for example when one of the batteries died and when I accidentally shorted the bank. We used lower amperage fuses to protect the system.

Don't get this model (the old one), it's not reliable: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 200777.htm.
Alan

1983 ex-army FFR 109 Stage 1
2005 Disco 2 HSE TD5
Orange
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:24 am

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Orange »

Thanks man I'll try sort it out at some stage.
Ant109
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 4:58 am
Location: Mid Canterbury, NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Ant109 »

Hi gents, just tagging onto the bottom of this. I've got an ex NZDF stage 1 and intend to rip out the army system and replace it with the solution offered by Alan. Looking at the Redarc equalisers, what do you think is the lowest amps i could get away with?
disco2hse
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:51 am
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by disco2hse »

I wouldn't.

They are pretty domestic grade. I know the Redarc units have been known to burn out and that would ruin your day.

It might be worth talking to Pan Pacific about their 39-182 and if it up to the task.

Or, there is this https://www.thebatterycellonline.co.nz/product/524762.

Or, you could talk to TWL and see what they have for heavy transport rigs https://twlnz.co.nz/images/products/c02 ... ipment.pdf
Alan

1983 ex-army FFR 109 Stage 1
2005 Disco 2 HSE TD5
Ant109
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 4:58 am
Location: Mid Canterbury, NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Ant109 »

Thanks for the advice, I do know the local autosparky here has been fitting redarc units to fert trucks and had good things to say however given the expense involved I would rather go heavy duty once and never look at it again (hopefully).

I will call through the options today.

Cheers, Antony.
Ant109
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 4:58 am
Location: Mid Canterbury, NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by Ant109 »

So the guy at Pan Pacific basically told me dont bother with theirs its not up to the task in terms of robustness.

Batterycell have a heavy duty charge reducer (https://www.thebatterycellonline.co.nz/product/VR030) but no longer sell that equaliser.

TWL didnt have one either.

Might look at getting one from someone parting out an old lorry.
disco2hse
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:51 am
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: Ex army v8 ignition problems

Post by disco2hse »

That'd be the go. Problem is that most set ups these days are for domestic RVs that want to charge their solar batteries and the current is limited and regular. Otherwise, give Ron Wood a call at Ron Wood Autoelectrical in Pt Chev Auckland. He's done electrics on NZDF Stage 1s for years, so he knows the issues.
Alan

1983 ex-army FFR 109 Stage 1
2005 Disco 2 HSE TD5
Post Reply