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[Humpy]

Most alterators don't fail completely, it's normally just the regulator and or brushes which with a Bosch is contained in one easy to change unit for about £15 or so. Garage mechanics don't change brushes, just a complete unit. I've lost count of the amount of alternators and starters for that matter that I've rejuvinated for a fraction of the price of a new one over the years.

13.58v isn't brilliant but it's not bad. An easy test for the state of an alternator is switch your lights on, rear demister, fan on flat out and stick the air con on (ie a lot of load!) and then put a voltmeter across the battery. Rev the engine to about 1000 to 1500 rpm to give the alternator a chance and as long as it doesn't drop to less than 12.5v ish then I'd say it was working ok. Should whine a bit as well if it's charging hard. Not a hard and fast test but a good indicator.

Humpy

[The Barge Captain]

Hi Wayne,

 You could try "Trye-Ryte" they are in Marsh road, Cowley by the Oxford City Council works depot   What sort of music do you play, I'm into "Jean Michel Jarre"

I saw JMJ in the docklands (too) many years ago.  Good stuff

From what i can remember it was a good concert  

it was although memory is fading - must be best part of 20 years ago! oh naff..

Destination Docklands ermmm... 1989 me thinks, was very young then

 Yes I had a couple of tickets for that concert, but could not go   , but I did get to see him just before Wembley was pulled down   and man was he good  

Nothing like a good wandering thread is there lads.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The only thing that ever realy fails on Omega alternators is the bearings.....and they just get noisey (and are easy to replace)

[Wayne]

All i remember yesterday after i popped to Express Factors was the guy told me start my engine, turn my lights on full and then turn the rear demister, he then said "yep, your alternators gone" the battery is ok, he used one of them voltmeters... i forgot to ask him what the voltage read-out was but he said it was lower than it should be
no way in hell i got the money for a new alternator, and i have no idea who can fix it if it is that

now im damn confused!

im getting a new battery anyway, as it hasnt been replaced for over 4 years..

[TheBoy]

All i remember yesterday after i popped to Express Factors was the guy told me start my engine, turn my lights on full and then turn the rear demister, he then said "yep, your alternators gone" the battery is ok, he used one of them voltmeters... i forgot to ask him what the voltage read-out was but he said it was lower than it should be
no way in hell i got the money for a new alternator, and i have no idea who can fix it if it is that

now im damn confused!

im getting a new battery anyway, as it hasnt been replaced for over 4 years..

Wayne, before you spend any money, do you have a voltmeter?

[Wayne]

no i dont matey

[Marks DTM Calib]

As said, if the battery is discharged then the alternator will not be able to put out full volts as it will be throwing loads of amps into the battery (and the other items that are turned on!)

[JamesV6CDX]

no i dont matey

PM sent.

[Wayne]

so chances are when i buy me new battery and then take it for a 40 mile spin, i SHOULD be ok ?

[JamesV6CDX]

so chances are when i buy me new battery and then take it for a 40 mile spin, i SHOULD be ok ?

I'd start by charging the existing one, run the car for a few miles, and then measure voltage across the battery with the engine running, and then with engine off...

[Wayne]

thanks guys, can i ask
IF i have to leave my car for about 7 - 14 days, apart from taking the battery terminals off, is there ANY other way you can leave the car without draining the battery?
how about clicking the key fob once, what does that do apart from just locking the car? i know if you press it twice it does something else?
not quite sure what though?
if i can just lock the car and not have the alarm on, thats no big deal because my car is placed behind 3 cars on the drive anyway

[JamesV6CDX]

I still think you'd be better off with a VX go battery than the Varta one

As suggested, first off get a good battery on there and make sure it's charging.

If it is, and nothing is left on / shorting, then it should sit for a week easy....

[TheBoy]

Should easily sit for 3 weeks or more with a good battery.  Obviously short journeys doesn't allow battery to replace charge used in starting.

[Wayne]

guys, could you read my previous posting on this thread
bit confused about how to NOT have the alarm on so i drain battery power if im not using my car, i mostly make short journeys, dont make that many long journeys, what do you all class as a long journey?

[TheBoy]

guys, could you read my previous posting on this thread
bit confused about how to NOT have the alarm on so i drain battery power if im not using my car, i mostly make short journeys, dont make that many long journeys, what do you all class as a long journey?

No, alarm is integral. But low power so shouldn't pull much from battery.

The old addage that 20 mins driving reqd to put back in what a 5s start is still mostly valid (this is with other electrical loads off, so longer in rain/dark).  This applies to all cars, not just Omegas.

(Modern batteries and alternators can charge slightly quicker nowadays).