Small Alternator

All things oily!
jonclancy
Posts: 942
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:30 pm

Re: Small Alternator

Post by jonclancy »

Thanks - getting there!

Bolts ordered for delivery by the weekend. I have found some nice stainless tube that can be made into spacers as required.

Off to Halfords for some cable and need to get a plug ordered from somewhere.

More news as it comes in!
Westfield 129
Posts: 867
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:20 am

Re: Small Alternator

Post by Westfield 129 »

Any alternator/electrical rebuilder/specialist will be able to help you with a new plug. Also, a pair of insulated spade connectors will work as well, but not as neat an installation.

If not, Wagner Alternator can help. They are in Riverside, California.

Note that the turnbuckle may not be at 90º to the alternator (you can make it 90º, but you may need a longer bolt at the engine mount plate. I don't bother). This is not a problem, and wont cause any vibration. The mount will be quite rigid and easy to adjust. Everything will fit perfectly.
jonclancy
Posts: 942
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:30 pm

Re: Small Alternator

Post by jonclancy »

Little update as I am sat here somewhere East of home:

My crap tab-filing has been rectified by Ian and his most excellent skills on the mill. A big thanks to him! 8-) I have also obtained some very nice ally tubing (5/8" OD, 3/8" ID) that will make perfect spacers. I've got my output cable, so just my plug to order up. I have temporarily refitted the old unit as we went to the ADC in Bristol this Sunday. The weather was beautiful and the local car and bike enthusiasts had their motors out in force. Bugatti, anyone??

http://www.avenuedriversclub.co.uk/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/theavenue ... lub/page1/
biggles
Posts: 314
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:10 am

Re: Small Alternator

Post by biggles »

Lovely cars there Jon!

Can I take it that you don't actually need the bolt I dug out for you? If so no probs - I'll pop it back in the Maxwell House tin awaiting my grandson's attention
circa 2070, I'd hate for him to be disappointed!
Westfield 129
Posts: 867
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:20 am

Re: Small Alternator

Post by Westfield 129 »

I'm off to the local exhibition of Bugatti Art at the Mullin Museum, the best collection of exotic French coach building in the US (and just down the road about 20 minutes). On exhibit will be numerous examples of Bugatti autos, sculpture and furniture.

The most interesting thing that will be there is the Bugatti 100 P aircraft which has been painstakingly replicated from the original, which is located at the EAA museum in Oshkosh, WI. The workmanship is incredible, including the twin fuselage mounted engines, twin drive shafts and the gear box for the counter rotating prop system. It is a precise replica, of wood and aluminum. The plan is to fly it. 'Maybe make more...

My current assignment is to cover the aircraft, and perhaps its first flight. I may put up some pictures on the WestyXIownersbuildersdrivers site. I grew up with a Type 57 (Graber body "sports sedan"), and I have already done an extended tour with the Veyron Vitesse, so my attention will be mostly directed towards the 100P and trying to cadge a flight. I am wondering how it flies compared to my old Siai Marchetti SF260C.

Nice to hear that you have the alternator just about ready.
jonclancy
Posts: 942
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:30 pm

Re: Small Alternator

Post by jonclancy »

Hi Tim,

Yes, I seem to have acquired some various fasteners in the process. Best it returns to Maxwell House to await your progeny. :D

I've been tied up, but should post some pics of the work done so far. It's bloody good and makes me envious of you real engineers out there! 8-)

Jan, what do you sling under the hard points on your 260C? Guns, rockets or iron bombs? ;)
Last edited by jonclancy on Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
Westfield 129
Posts: 867
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:20 am

Re: Small Alternator

Post by Westfield 129 »

Actually, I just like speed and flying upside down. No hard points (though my friends had them, especially for the extra fuel with the turbine engine version). I set some speed records here for a couple of events, won a bunch of cross country air races. Also, aerobatics are a bit easier without the stuff hanging off.

My preference is for the gun pods... The distributor is a good friend. He has a set that he uses on his SF260TP for the movies.

Mine had a very clean airframe, and the 540 fitted with high compression pistons and ported cylinder heads for a solid 305 HP, and a top speed of about 200 kts. It was one of the SF260Cs that made the Italo Balbo Commemorative Flight to the Chicago World's Fair and Oshkosh back in '83.
jonclancy
Posts: 942
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:30 pm

Re: Small Alternator

Post by jonclancy »

In the absence of any real progress (because I've been driving the car when I can and tied up otherwise), here are a couple of pics showing the stuff I have ready to bolt on (the ally tubing will make the approporate spacers).

I have yet to drill the alternator lug to 3/8", but you can see how good the milling is - and how porous the casting!

[attachment=1]alternator.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=0]alternator lug.jpg[/attachment]
Attachments
alternator lug.jpg
alternator.jpg
Westfield 129
Posts: 867
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:20 am

Re: Small Alternator

Post by Westfield 129 »

My lower bracket with the rod ends is quite a bit shorter than yours. My installation has a threaded rod length of only 2.5".

The milling job is really good. It's cut back enough so that you can get a good swing and a flat mounting. Perfect.

It's hard to hold the alternator in the mill to get a good cut.
jonclancy
Posts: 942
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:30 pm

Re: Small Alternator

Post by jonclancy »

Yep - need to cut down the turnbuckle and rod ends. The next smaller size from McGill was a little too short, but we'll see upon fitment.

The milling was set up to alight the tab with the pulley face. I have some pics and I'll dig them out and upload them when I get home. We used these stepped triangular blocks that I had never seen before - it took a few minutes to set up, but the milling took much shorter!!! 8-)
Post Reply