Alternator upgrade

[Billfinger]

Hi All . About to change pulley and alternator as the alternator overrun is failing. After looking for replacement I’ve noticed a 180 amp version. Presently a 140 amp. Is it worth upgrading as I am also going to upgrade to a 220amp lithium leasure battery as just not enough power off grid . Also will it bolt straight on or is a modification . Thanks

 

[Loz]

The California comes with a 180A so if it's available you could, but it won't be cheap.

 

[Billfinger]

The California comes with a 180A so if it's available you could, but it won't be cheap.

View attachment 185976

The one I’ve seen on eBay is £179.99 next day free delivery compared with £144 for the 140 amp . Do you know if I Will I need anything else?

 

[DXX]

If the pulley clutch has failed it can be replaced on the existing alternator, just in case you’ve been advised that they are both replaced together.

 

[Billfinger]

If the pulley clutch has failed it can be replaced on the existing alternator, just in case you’ve been advised that they are both replaced together.

yes thanks , I've seen the pulleys . Quite cheap but while it was off was thinking about possible upgrades

 

[Dellmassive]

We have the 180A alternator.

It come with the second battery option.

 

[DXX]

What‘s the milage on the failed alternator pulley? I’m considering replacing mine next time I’m pulling that area apart for maintenance.

 

[Billfinger]

It’s about 50000 miles

 

[DXX]

It’s about 50000 miles

That’s a bit premature! I was hoping for 150K.

 

[Billfinger]

That’s a bit premature! I was hoping for 150K.

That’s what I thought . The pulley was changed twice under warranty in 2017 , kept rattling after a few thousand miles each time . Belt changed twice and been ok for 30k then this . I’ll change it all this time

 

[Loz]

Was the tensioner replaced? These are a known issue.

 

[Billfinger]

Yes twice . Vw admitted there was an issue

 

[Spaghetti]

That’s a bit premature! I was hoping for 150K.

I replaced the one on my A4 at about 80k.

 

[Billfinger]

I replaced the one on my A4 at about 80k.

That’s more like what I would expect , vw timing belts 60 to 80 k so for pulley too I’d imagine

 

[tdowning891]

did you manage to change to a 180a alternator?

 

[DXX]

Surely an upgrade to 180A alternator is only any benefit if you are charging a lithium battery over very short journeys?

 

[tdowning891]

I have 300a of lithium batteries, and a 30a victron dc to dc charger, this would take 10 hours of driving to charge from empty (longer because it never sits at 30a for long periods). With a 180a alternator I might be able to add a second to half the charging time..

 

[Billfinger]

did you manage to change to a 180a alternator?

I never bothered after a few saying it’s not worth it . Must admit I’ve now got a Chinese 300 amp lithium battery and it’s been fantastic . Never had to use hookup . Van hasn’t been used for 3 weeks and still 13.4 v topped up by solar .

 

[Bav]

I ordered my 6.1 with the uprated battery/alternator factory option, so it came with a 92Ah battery and a 250A alternator. I'll admit, I ticked the box without any real understanding of what the advantages would be - I just thought "more is better" and the extra £230+VAT was neither here nor there given the cost of the van.

So, in reference to @tdowning891's comment above, can I take advantage of the higher alternator output by fitting a second DC/DC charger and will this significantly reduce charging times? (IIRC, I have a 40A DC/DC charger and 220Ah of lithium).

 

[Geeky Philip]

Can the 250 amp T6.1 alternator be retrofitted to a T6 euro5 (CAAC) engine?