Hello,
Thinking ahead to the cooler months, I was wondering if there's a way to increase my alternator's output, or if there's a mod/improvement that I can do? I tend to find that everything dims down a bit when it's raining & dark and, as I do a fair amount of city driving, it occurs that the battery mightn't be getting as much charge as it'd like for cold starts!
The voltage reg is a Lucas solid state set up, alt's an Iskra 30amp & the brushes are in good nick.
Any pointers'd be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
Matthew

The only thing coming up in my mind, take a larger alternator (GSA) or somthing like that, more amps more juce..........

Matthew,
check the voltage at the battery with the engine running at 'around' 3,000 rpm and if it's 14.4 volts, that's as good as it can get.

Note that if there's high resistance in either the D+ wire or D- wires connecting to the regulator, the system voltage may be higher than recommended, so a check with a good voltmeter or multimeter is often worthwhile anyway...

It's possible to fit an alternator designed for the 652 Visa onto an A series engine, those are rated at 40 amps.

ken.

When I did Raid Laponie in Finland in winter I needed extra lamps etc and fitted a Visa Alternator. It's an easy enough swap but you have to remove the voltage regulator as is has one built in and replace it with a diode.

I was able to run headlamps, fog lamps and roof mounted lamps form it plus windscreen wipers. They did slow down some times but that was mainly down to the snow build up

If you want I can dig out the diode value. From memory it cost 12p from Maplins plus the 2nd hand alternator

Hi,
Thanks for all the replies! I'd been thinking along those lines, lpgo...
Ken, I'll get on that in the am ~ it's good to know what to look for, as my electrickery knowledge is limited!
4x4 SuperFinn, that'd be awesome if you could!
Thanks again! M.

The Diode is a 1N4001 (1 amp) diode. I'll take a pic of it is situ later.

Fit a tractor battery

(don't!, but if you upgrade make sure it's a marine battery!)

I'm running a Xsara diese battery in mine and it's fine...

Sorry didn't really make myself clear
I'm not dismissing auto parts batteries
There perfectly ok! An will do the job fine

Check for voltage drop. The earthing on 2CV headlights is awful. On a filament bulb the reduction in light output is staggering. Your car will be running at 13.4 volts or so when running. If the voltage delivered to the headlights is 12.5 volts the light produced by the bulb is only 83% of their rated output. At 11.5 volts it is down to 67% of rated output.