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[Lazydocker]

Here it is guys... Away on holibobs in SW Wales and driving back to the site today the battery light flickered on a couple of times then stayed on whenever on overrun or light throttle but bury it and it went out.

Then suddenly there was a loss of power (because it went into limp) and electrical systems started shutting down. Pulled over, switched off and restarted fine but a light glow from the battery light. Sure enough, 11.2V but constant no matter what electrical load is put on. Drove the 25 minutes back to the site with no battery light but within the last 2 miles the electrical systems started shutting down. Limped to our pitch, parked up, switched off and (as expected) the battery was flat.

Left it for a while and tested the connections as best I can with (very) limited tools I have here and the battery recovered sufficiently to start the car but, again, only 11.5V whatever electrical load is applied.

So.... Is there a charging relay or a fuse that is worth checking? As this all happened suddenly with no warning.

I'm sure I know the answer but remember a Cavalier I had in the past with similar symptoms and it was a charging relay.

Failing that... Anyone in Pembrokeshire with tools and a spare alternator?

[zirk]

Sounds like the rectifier on the alternator is furbed to me.

[Lazydocker]

Sounds like the rectifier on the alternator is furbed to me.

Yeah... My thoughts too... Although, IME, that tends to overcharge, not under 

Not overly helpful on a campsite in Wales though!

[Andyv6]

I had something along those lines when I was in Ireland with my old 2.5gls the aux coolant pump had seized and blew a fuse think it was a 20a one iirc, it gave all the symptoms of a alternator gone, oh if it is that fuse that has blown unplug the pump before putting a new fuse in otherwise they can smoke a lot lol.

[Doctor Gollum]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALT102-ALTERNATOR-OPEL-SAAB-VAUXHALL-/201306551183?hash=item2edece338f%3Ag%3A1boAAOSwPhdVAesq&_trkparms=pageci%253A2b49a5bd-665c-11e6-b7d9-74dbd1803c83%257Cparentrq%253Aa4eae65a1560a358977cc272ffff2214%257Ciid%253A2

[Lazydocker]

I had something along those lines when I was in Ireland with my old 2.5gls the aux coolant pump had seized and blew a fuse think it was a 20a one iirc, it gave all the symptoms of a alternator gone, oh if it is that fuse that has blown unplug the pump before putting a new fuse in otherwise they can smoke a lot lol.

Thanks. Will check.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALT102-ALTERNATOR-OPEL-SAAB-VAUXHALL-/201306551183?hash=item2edece338f%3Ag%3A1boAAOSwPhdVAesq&_trkparms=pageci%253A2b49a5bd-665c-11e6-b7d9-74dbd1803c83%257Cparentrq%253Aa4eae65a1560a358977cc272ffff2214%257Ciid%253A2

Ooh... I wonder if they will do a 24 hour courier option to a campsite in Wales

[biggriffin]

Local. Ecp?

[Lazydocker]

Local. Ecp?

ECP want more than double that

Part of my problem is that I don't have many tools here and also that I have a whole spare car sat at home!! Currently looking into options which include a late night recovery

[robson]

Is it something about being on holiday I was away with the caravan last year and had the same problem. Charging light was going out but battery flat. Recovery company took me to a garage who after 4 hrs said they could not get the right alternator.Ended up with a late night recovery home and a charge from the garage for removing the alternator.Sorry for all that but a new alternator solved the problem., When the faulty alternator was checked when I first got the problem the output voltage was around 12 volts. Changing alternator without many tools could ruin your holiday.

[robson]

A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.

[TD]

A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.

Yes....i'd suggest it is. You cannot overload an alternator, imo. If you are loading the alternator with more than it can supply, then the extra load is taken from the battery....simples 

[Lazydocker]

A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.

Yes and no... Makes no difference with a healthy alternator but a flagging one could benefit from reduced draw.

Is it something about being on holiday I was away with the caravan last year and had the same problem. Charging light was going out but battery flat. Recovery company took me to a garage who after 4 hrs said they could not get the right alternator.Ended up with a late night recovery home and a charge from the garage for removing the alternator.Sorry for all that but a new alternator solved the problem., When the faulty alternator was checked when I first got the problem the output voltage was around 12 volts. Changing alternator without many tools could ruin your holiday.

I'm not towing as it is a family member's tourer on a seasonal pitch. But, thankfully, the people on site are great and it looks like between them and what I've got I can get sufficient tools together. It's not too bad a job when you know what you're doing... I think the master does it in about an hour

Of course, that's without the LPG Gubbins in the way

Someone remind me... Does it wiggle out through the bottom or the top?

[Bigron]

I concur with TD. Alternators have their output voltage controlled by a Regulator (THAT is the part that fails, mostly) but the current is automatically limited by design so no need to disconnect your tin tent! Think about it: if your battery is dead flat and you jump start the engine, there is a massive short-circuit provided by the flat battery, yet the alternator copes very well.

Ron.

[TD]

A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.

Yes and no... Makes no difference with a healthy alternator but a flagging one could benefit from reduced draw.

Is it something about being on holiday I was away with the caravan last year and had the same problem. Charging light was going out but battery flat. Recovery company took me to a garage who after 4 hrs said they could not get the right alternator.Ended up with a late night recovery home and a charge from the garage for removing the alternator.Sorry for all that but a new alternator solved the problem., When the faulty alternator was checked when I first got the problem the output voltage was around 12 volts. Changing alternator without many tools could ruin your holiday.

I'm not towing as it is a family member's tourer on a seasonal pitch. But, thankfully, the people on site are great and it looks like between them and what I've got I can get sufficient tools together. It's not too bad a job when you know what you're doing... I think the master does it in about an hour

Of course, that's without the LPG Gubbins in the way

Someone remind me... Does it wiggle out through the bottom or the top?

I cant help you with that I'm afraid..but if you carnt change it...id be surprised if you could fully charge your battery before the return journey, that you couldn't make it home without an alternator fully working.....IF you turn off everything electrical.....ie aircon off/radio off/don't keep playing with the windows/etc , you get the drift....
If you stop for a break.....leave the engine running and take it in turns to go for a pitstop, but make the pitstop quick as you can...

Ive known vehicles, including mine, go for 100's of miles (altho not that far for mine) before the engine died due to flat battery 

[Bigron]

EssexBigAl very kindly came to me and changed my alternator on the roadside and it wasn't too bad a job for a man of his skills; as I recall it squeezed out downwards with very little swearing! PLEASE use ramps or axle stands if you can even in a welsh field - the extra space underneath will obviously help a lot.

Ron.