Alternator struggling?

[ruaricoles]

Was sitting in traffic in the rain and the dark in our 94 500 the other evening with more or less everything electrical working - cooling fans, heater fan, wipers, headlights, stereo - and the alternator was struggling a bit at around 11.5V. Under more usual circumstances it seems to charge absolutely fine at 13.5V or so.

Is it not working as well as it should or do others find it struggles a bit with that much load? The belt is certainly tight enough.

Ta very much,

Ruari

[raw-sewedge]

Mine sounds about the same with Head Lights, Fans, Heater etc on.

[red griff 500]

Mine's the same too - the alternator on mine is a Magneti-Marelli with (I think) a 70 amp output capability. I remember when I bought a new regulator pack for it the guy tried to sell me a reconditioned alternator with a lower rating, argueing that 70A was excessive. I'm really glad I ignored that advice cos mine struggles to meet the demand!

[Frosty500]

I've a '94 griff 500.

Had same problem and upgraded to 100A unit incl cabling and fuses throughout.

Problem solved!

[Guillotine]

as frosty says.

the std 66a will cope but its close (as is everything TVR!) you will have no probs, but when changing later upgrade to 100a unit (indentical).

you'll find that the lights dip when the fans cut on too!

TADTS!

andy
94 Griff 500+