Alternator rotation direction?

[Steve_D]

Does it matter which direction an alternator spins?

We have a very tight installation on a kitcar and may need to install the alternator in front of the engine which would spin it in the opposite direction to normal (if there is a norm).

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Steve_D]

Thanks MaxT

Further info...It is a new aftermarket 40amp unit so no issues with clutches or existing wear patterns.

The builder had installed the alt. further back due to lack of space and fitted it with a jack shaft running in a pillow block bearing just behind the pulley. The whole arrangement would have been almost impossible to keep aligned. Net result was a broken mounting at the bearing and a destroyed alt.

Time to design a new mounting.

Thanks again.

Steve

[Steve_D]

Mr2Mike said:

Rather than redesign the entire thing, could you install a coupling that allows a some degree of misalignment? e.g. like this

Yes that type of coupling is a possibility and keep the jack shaft arrangement but the rest of the mounting is so badly made I'm more inclined to thow it all in the scrap and start again. We will see.

Steve