NZ Army Land Rover alternator problems

[Soviet Star]

Hi Guys

I have a completely stock 1982 ex NZ Army FFR V8 Land Rover. No, I lie... I have LED bulbs in the lights and a 12v electronic ignition system running through a converter.

I am having a few intermittent issues with the charging system.

I was driving home the other day in the rain when suddenly the wipers started going flat out, and the ammeter jumped full scale. The voltage alarm thingy was still showing green and the headlights were working fine. I suspect the voltage was way high, but it had come right by the time I got home.

I will try and get it to do it again and have a poke around with a multimeter tomorrow, but I was hoping somebody might have seen this before and be able to steer me in the right direction.

Many thanks in advance
Chris

[disco2hse]

If it was your gauges going haywire, then it is more likely to be the voltage regulator that needs replacing. If your alternator were overcharging you would find the batteries boiling first, and fuses and bulbs blowing.

The ammeter only shows current, not voltage. The other culprit may be the split charge diodes if you still have them installed. They are responsible for all kinds of weird spikes.

[Soviet Star]

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the charging system on the NZ Army V8 Land Rover?

It's the one with the big alternator and remote diodes by the steering box.

Cheers
Chris

[disco2hse]

I have uploaded the FFR wiring diagram (pdf and png) to Dropbox. Use this link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zajiycyx67ns ... tzHRa?dl=0

[Soviet Star]

Legend Dude!

Cheers. I will have a poke around the old girl tomorrow.

Chris

[Soviet Star]

Does anyone know where the Alternator Sense Relay lives?

Chris

[disco2hse]

Umm, I'm pretty sure you'll find it near the split charge diodes, on the right, below the brake booster.

[Soviet Star]

I found it in the centre dash beside the engine monitor gadget.

Next question... What does it actually do?

I ran the engine today and the ammeter was charging at 60 odd amps just above idle... my initial problem. When I disconnected the alternator sense line at the relay, the ammeter dropped to zero.

Thoughts anyone??

Chris

[disco2hse]

It is part of the split charge system. 60A is correct.

My ammeter reads nil because I have routed around the split charge diodes.

[Soviet Star]

60 Amps may be acceptable, but I'm sure the 35v I measured at the battery isn't!

I suspect that my regulator has poo'd itself. I did find a dodgy connection on one of the diodes, but that would cause lower voltage, not higher.

The hunt for the cause continues.... albeit when I can sneak away from painting the house..... Yes Dear, I am working on the computer!

[disco2hse]

Yes, should not be more than 24.5V IIRC.

[Soviet Star]

Hello All

Does anyone have a spare 100a 24v alternator that they would be willing to sell? I need some bits!

Cheers
Chris

[disco2hse]

I have one that is not fixable. Stator collapsed I think. It's a heavy beast and transport to CHCH will be expensive.

[gingerwinky]

hi,
if you contact southern 4wd on lismore street they have one on the shelf condition unknown.

033652989 ask for steve

andy

[robertstr]

So, think I am in simular boat, I have the huge alt/gen and its putting out about 40 volts... batteries are boiling.
I have the dashboard regulator with one button in the center, Is this the voltage regulator? and does anybody know where I
might find one?
I have just zero ideas here....
Cheers