Need help finding an alternator

Darren S · #1 01-20-2011, 10:41 AM

My alternator failed in flight yesterday. Finally the weather up here in Canada warmed up enough for me to get out. Now this delay

I pulled the alternator off. There is a broken mounting bracket (see pict) that likely caused the alternator to vibrate and the bearings to fail. I need to buy a new one but no one seems to know what type of alternator this is and where to get one. A fella told me it was an INTERAV alternator but I can't reach them, I can't get a hold of the previous owner, there is no Data Plate and there are no notations in the log books.

So off to VAF my favorite source of info. I want to find one and get it up here by the weekend so I can go fly again. I don't care what it costs. Here are some picts. Do you have one sitting around in your garage ??

Thanks,

Darren

bkilby · #2 01-20-2011, 10:45 AM

I saved this from a prior post to keep in my toolbox. Not sure if this is yours, but it worked for me. You can find at Autozone in the U.S.

"The original 35a alternator that Vans sold for years is a NipponDenso as used on 1976-1979 Honda Civic CVCC without air conditioning. A common number you can find in Duralast and other reman alternators is 14184. The Beck/Arnley number is 186-0100. No problems with running the alternator "backwards" and you can leave the stock fan in place. A blast tube to the rear of the alternator is a good idea for diode cooling. A 1975 Ford regulator works great with this unit. You should be able to purchase alternator and regulator for less than 50 bucks. As long as you own the 1979 Honda you have a lifetime warranty."

jbDC9 · #3 01-20-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkilby

"The original 35a alternator that Vans sold for years is a NipponDenso as used on 1976-1979 Honda Civic CVCC without air conditioning. A common number you can find in Duralast and other reman alternators is 14184. The Beck/Arnley number is 186-0100. No problems with running the alternator "backwards" and you can leave the stock fan in place. A blast tube to the rear of the alternator is a good idea for diode cooling. A 1975 Ford regulator works great with this unit. You should be able to purchase alternator and regulator for less than 50 bucks. As long as you own the 1979 Honda you have a lifetime warranty."

This paragraph doesn't apply to the unit in the pics as it appears to be a stock Vans/Nippon Denso 60a, internally regulated unit; the p/n for that is 14684, but I read previously that most auto part houses no longer carry that part number. I bought a new (reman) Dura-Last unit a couple of years ago from Auto Zone, p/n was 14824 and was a direct plug-n-play replacement, cost was roughly $100 USD with core return. Just search for a 1987 Suzuki Samurai alternator and you're in business.

Darren S · #4 01-20-2011, 02:03 PM

Ok, thanks for the help with identifying the alternator. You guys were right, the alternator is a Nippon/Denso alternator. This particular one I have is commonly used on John Deere tractors and forklifts !! Sheesh.... the things we fly behind

Anyways, since I was no longer looking for an aviation part, nor an automotive part I started digging in the Farm equipment section of the yellow pages. Hee haw !! I struck gold.

Should be back in the air on the weekend. Thanks for the help VAF and the quick response.

Blue Skies await,

Darren

az_gila · #5 01-20-2011, 03:23 PM

Check the mounting distances since your mounting bracket cracked.

Lycoming Service Instruction 1270A talks about shimming the mounts to within a 0.004 inch fit before tightening down the mounting bolts. This would seem to make sense as it would prevent a pre-load on the alternator mounting bracket and alternator "ears"...

Pictures of the other side of the alternator bracket here...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=53622

J Crate · #6 01-20-2011, 04:02 PM

Darren

I have a new (reman) 14824 ND Alternator from an 1987 Suzuki Samarai. I believe it to be the same as the one you are looking for. It sounds like you have found one locally, but if no joy, let me know and we'll work something out.

Regards,

John Crate
rv6a(at)rogers.com

rv7charlie · #7 01-20-2011, 04:24 PM

+1 that the alternator looks like a late '80s suzuki samuri unit.

(2 on my shelf now)
Charlie

Craig-RV8a · #8 01-20-2011, 04:45 PM

Same,, here I had to replace mine,,, #14870 from a 1990's Suzuki Samari ...

Sam Buchanan · #9 01-20-2011, 05:44 PM

Does anyone know if this alternator (14870) is a bolt-on replacement for the Vans 35A unit (14184)?

bhester · #10 01-20-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren S

Ok, thanks for the help with identifying the alternator. You guys were right, the alternator is a Nippon/Denso alternator. This particular one I have is commonly used on John Deere tractors and forklifts !! Sheesh.... the things we fly behind

Anyways, since I was no longer looking for an aviation part, nor an automotive part I started digging in the Farm equipment section of the yellow pages. Hee haw !! I struck gold.

Should be back in the air on the weekend. Thanks for the help VAF and the quick response.

Blue Skies await,

Darren

So what did you determine is the correct direct replacement for the 60a?