AU V8 - Alternators .... which one to buy??

AU Mont · 14-12-2011, 06:35 PM

Reading the battery terminals showing 13.48v max with engine running, so i may be looking at buying a new alternator soon, but i have no idea what im looking at since there are ones $230-$350+

For example, is the one below a good quality item?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BRAND-NEW...-/320541306198

whilst i dont want to pay a ridiculous amount, i certaily dont want to be a cheapskate and have it fail or not do its job

what are other people using?

david256 · 15-12-2011, 04:38 AM

I installed a PURE ENERGY 7787604N on the weekend which I purchased from Rock Auto and its running pretty sweet around 14.1-14.2 even with lights/AC/Stereo (15"subs) still only drops to 13.9

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3374472

$122 + $80 shipping approx because I combined with other items.

I replaced the idler pulleys x2 and the belt tensioner also purchased from Rock Auto, all up including shipping was around $280. The belt tensioner from ford in Aus is over $300.

AU Mont · 15-12-2011, 08:54 AM

looks interesting, the total for me came to $250 inc shipping

i cant find any specs anywhere to compare to the standard AU fitment, pulley size, bolt hole diam, pin config etc.

david256 · 16-12-2011, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

looks interesting, the total for me came to $250 inc shipping

i cant find any specs anywhere to compare to the standard AU fitment, pulley size, bolt hole diam, pin config etc.

I can confirm that they are an exact fit, pulley size, bolt holes and 3 pin are the same as AU. I only ordered mine from Rock because I ordered a heap of parts and combined the shipping about 10kg all up.

Another option is the Bosch AL7543N from Amazon for $132 + $50 usd approx for shipping.

I have a Bosch AL7543N coming from Amazon, but couldn't wait as my car was giving me major issues so I ordered the one from Rock via Fed Ex. When the Bosch arrives I will make a decision on which one I'll keep and sell the other.

AU Mont · 16-12-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

13.48v might be fine, depending on the SOC of the battery, engine bay temp, how long the engine has run for, etc.

I wouldn't be too hasty in changing.

atm just trying to find the cause of a key-off current drain from the battery. I noticed the battery inspection window was red the other day, and by coincidence i managed to arc out a couple wires (blew radio 1 & 2 fuses) doing a headunit install the day before, so im not sure if ive done damage myself, or if the current drain was already happening. After car is turned off, battery quickly drops to 12.46v then trickles down to 12.32v over 24hours which is a concern considering 12.68v is 100% and 12.24v is 50%

ive checked all wiring and stereo seems fine, and tried disconnecting stereo overnight which helped only a little. Next step is to disconnect the alternator overnight to see if its a faulty diode.

Quote:

Originally Posted by david256

I can confirm that they are an exact fit, pulley size, bolt holes and 3 pin are the same as AU. I only ordered mine from Rock because I ordered a heap of parts and combined the shipping about 10kg all up.

Another option is the Bosch AL7543N from Amazon for $132 + $50 usd approx for shipping.

I have a Bosch AL7543N coming from Amazon, but couldn't wait as my car was giving me major issues so I ordered the one from Rock via Fed Ex. When the Bosch arrives I will make a decision on which one I'll keep and sell the other.

ok great, im happy to pay $250 landed, considering it looks to be alot better quality than the $260 one on ebay!!

david256 · 16-12-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

atm just trying to find the cause of a key-off current drain from the battery.

ok great, im happy to pay $250 landed, considering it looks to be alot better quality than the $260 one on ebay!!

I was getting all these strange almost unexplainable symptoms/causes of my drains and low battery, but all have disappeared now with the new alternator.

I'm pretty happy with the quality of my Rock Auto alternator and big smile on the face when you see the volts around 14.3.

Here's a discount code Rock gave me its only 5% but its better than nothing :
78116396452945

Sox · 15-12-2011, 07:34 PM

13.48v might be fine, depending on the SOC of the battery, engine bay temp, how long the engine has run for, etc.

I wouldn't be too hasty in changing.

AU Mont · 16-12-2011, 04:42 PM

cheers mate, something unusual i found this morning on a cold start with the battery @50% charge the battery terminals read 14.27v

so i go for a drive come back when the car is warmed up, and the terminals read 13.70v

turn the high beams, climate control & hazards and the car sounds like it drops a few revs and terminals read 13.18

dunno what to make of it, but i assume its the alternator. I wonder if these things can be tested on the car, or does it have to be put on a bench

david256 · 17-12-2011, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

cheers mate, something unusual i found this morning on a cold start with the battery @50% charge the battery terminals read 14.27v

so i go for a drive come back when the car is warmed up, and the terminals read 13.70v

turn the high beams, climate control & hazards and the car sounds like it drops a few revs and terminals read 13.18

dunno what to make of it, but i assume its the alternator.

This is pretty much what mine was doing, but it declined rapidly in the last 2-3 weeks.

My guess is the battery is taking most of the load and the alternator just can't keep up.

david256 · 20-12-2011, 04:41 AM

Hey thought you might a look at my Rock Auto 7787604N installed into my AU Fairlane.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

AU Mont · 20-12-2011, 08:42 AM

cheers man, i aprreciate the help, def will be going the 7787604N

my alternator charges perfect on a cold start, then dies in the *** once car warms up

just got to recover from credit card christmas splurge before i start paying attention to the car again lol

david256 · 21-12-2011, 04:24 AM

My Bosch Alternator should be here Thursday or Friday, finally after 5 weeks shipping, not sure which one I'll keep and which one to sell.

I'm extremely happy with the 7787604N so I'll probably look at selling the Bosch.

If your interested I'll probably sell the Bosch for $180-$200+ shipping or the 7787604N for $160+ shipping as I've used it for about 10 days, I'll make my decision after xmas.

david256 · 23-12-2011, 12:09 PM

Finally received the Bosch Alternator today, the 2 interesting features are its assembled in the USA and it has Motorcraft stamped onto it.

For around the price of $180 slow shipping or $260 fast shipping, which is still cheaper than the ebay units, the Bosch looks the best unit to buy heres a few photos.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/377...1223104829.jpg
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6...1223104919.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1...1223104932.jpg
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2...1223105025.jpg
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3...1223105049.jpg

AU Mont · 23-12-2011, 02:05 PM

yep the bosch one looks the goods, the brand name itself is something to be trusted

let me know if the bosch one is a direct fit too

cheers

david256 · 23-12-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Mont

yep the bosch one looks the goods, the brand name itself is something to be trusted

let me know if the bosch one is a direct fit too

cheers

Yes, it will fit without any issues.