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Wed Jan 22, 2003 10:19 am

Busy replacing the alternator in my '79 Westy and found out there were apparently 2 different alternators for '75 to '79: a 70 amp and a 50 (55?) amp. Anyone know what the deal is? Which vehicles got which parts? Are they easily interchangeable? Best I can tell the major difference is the size/shape of the air inlet.
Thanks in advance for the help!!

Wed Jan 22, 2003 10:45 am

According to the books, they use different voltage regulators as well. All I know is that they are bloody expensive- my best suggestion to you would be to go to autozone and get one of their lifetime warr. deals. Aircooled.net shows the pn#s of the voltage regulators paired with each alternator. You could always put in a GM alternator... :-)

Charles Navarro
LN Engineering
http://www.LNengineering.com
Aircooled Precision Performance

Wed Jan 22, 2003 11:01 am

Westfalia deluxes (stove, electric fridge, dual battery, etc.) needed more amps to keep the dual batteries charged and were therefore equipped with the larger alternator. The plate on the back of the 70 amp has a round inlet for the cooling air, but the 55 amp has a D-shaped inlet. The round ones are harder to find so hold on to it or sell it to me. :) If you use or plan to use all your camping accessories then I would bite the bullet and get the 70 amp. If you have a few days to spare you could even remove your alternator and have it rebuilt at a local shop. Most any sizeable community will have an automotive electric shop that could help you out. The parts are fairly attainable. I had mine rebuilt for about $100 which was much cheaper than a new one. I tried Autozone and O'Reillys Automotive and neither could get a 70 amp and I don't think they even carry the 55 amp anymore. If you decide to go with the 55 amp then I would be happy to trade you a D-shaped inlet and pay for shipping in exchange for the round inlet. Try Busdepot.com for prices. They are usually the best. Take care.

Fri Jan 24, 2003 5:53 am

Thanks for the help! So it looks like I will be installing the 70 amp unit... mine's the dual-battery deluxe. More power is better, right?:) For some reason the alternator I pulled out was a 50 amp.
So the next question: has anyone built one of those hoses? (I figure my D-hose, a short piece of copper pipe and the elbow from a radiator hose may work) Any tips? I also understand that a pulley with a fan attached was sometimes used instead--to blow air the other direction through the alt. I can't find either of these parts, so I guess I'm making them.
For your own info: latest price for the 70-amp unit at AutoZone is $130. The 50-amp is still available, but not listed in their computers as applicable. They can only see it if they cross-reference the original Bosch P/N: AL-75X (I believe), though they sell the 50-amp for $125; almost $50 more than busdepot.

And thanks again!!