bostig alternator putting out nearly 17 volts

[nelsonhogg]

In getting ready for the first real trip in our converted 87 westie, I sent off a datalog to Jim who reports that the voltage is way too high (over 16) and suggests looking at grounds and measuring various voltages, some of which aren't easy to get to (like, what is the "dist box"). Anyhow, this conversion was done by Dylan at Insyncro who I've discovered stuck me with various inferior bits, or took some away for himself. In any case, the power steering pump leaked and needed to be replaced which brings me to the other part on the belt - the alternator. It wouldn't surprise me that it is defective. But, could I be wrong?

[Paulbeard]

Can you replace the regulator with an adjustable one? I used that to tweak mine up a little on a stock alternator.
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[SyncroButter]

I would do as Bostig suggests and measure the output directly, I am guessing the only source of the 17 volts number is from the OBDII data log so you should verify what's going on. Do you have a multimeter that you are comfortable using?

I am guessing the dist box is the black box on the driver's front of the engine bay, I believe this would be a spot where you can access the voltage coming right from the alternator at the "hot" post.
_________________
Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle

[nelsonhogg]

I believe the regulator is internal.

[nelsonhogg]

I see almost 17 volts by measuring directly at the alternator which is consistent with what is in the datalog ( a little higher, actually).

[SyncroButter]

[Microbusdeluxe]

If your alternator was new, trade it in where it was purchased, it's a bad rebuild.
_________________
'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig!

[nelsonhogg]

So, I checked the voltage between terminal and case on the alternator and it was also the 16+ volts. Then, I turned on headlights, fans etc and voltage at the battery dropped to 12.4. Turned off those things and voltage remained in the 13-14 volt range both at battery and alternator. What does that mean?

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[SyncroButter]

Yep, sounds like you are in the market for a new alternator.

Fortunately for you this is a very straightforward job, and any major auto parts store will have one on the shelf for your Bostig (alternator would be for a 1999 Ford Contour, thanks for reminding me of this Microbusdeluxe). The job itself is going to be the same exact procedure as changing the alternator on a Ford focus and if you are handy with a wrench you should be able to do the work in about an hour.

Here is a video of the procedure, deviations would be that
-you are using an alternator for the 1999 Ford Contour (mounting is the same)
-you can skip the steps where they are getting stuff out of the way in the crowded Focus engine bay, your alternator is much more accessible
-you will be disconnecting a battery under the passenger seat and not one in the engine bay like in the video (remember to disconnect the house battery of you have one of those as well).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IFoQxPUw_xc
_________________
Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle

[Microbusdeluxe]

You do know that the Bostig conversion requires an alternator from a 1999 Ford Contour, NOT a Focus, right?
_________________
'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig!

[E1]

Yep, as said it sounds like the voltage regulator is toast. Seen this a few times ourselves, reading like "13-something, 13-something, 13-something, WHAM, spike to 17."

I take it that alternators put out 17 and the regulator keeps them to the low-to-mid-14s. Anyone know for sure?

Every time I've priced these parts (Edit: for a WESTY) it turns out the regulators aren't that much less than alternators, so I opt for the entire unit. Regulators are the weak link when demands on the alternators rises, such as if charging more than a starter battery.

Dying to try a higher-output regulator, I'm a believer though based on yet-untried logic of it. To unpopular replies we had a technically-faulty regulator a spell, I think, putting out 14-something. Not accepted is our engine ran far better with more juice, and mpg gained 10%.

It was like having three-digits of brute horsepower like everything else.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[SyncroButter]

[nelsonhogg]

Thanks all for your help in zeroing in on the alternator. I purchased a new one from rockauto and installed it. Not a hard job but took me several hours. And the best part is that the output is now in the mid 14s. Another bit of Insyncro's junk pile replaced. I'm hoping, of course, that this is the end for a while.

[E1]

Fell your pain in feeling shorted by people you hired, but glad this is fixed.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[squeegee_boy]

[JudoJeff]

Just an FYI, in case you don’t know: there are tabs that lock the alternator down. Press them back in with a big screwdriver after removing the bolts. Then it comes off easily.
Get new alternator from FLAPS for ease of warranty replacement.

Use threadlock on the bolts when installing.

Sorry you got screwed by InSyncro, it’s a big club!
_________________
________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)