Alternators

[MitchW]

Evening All,

I'm looking at an alternator for my 96 GL1500A.

Some alternator part numbers refer to LR140-708 and others LR140-708C.

What is the difference please?

Mitchell

[ct1500]

The alternator is manufactured by Hitachi and is their model number and will interchange. For the precise internal change you will have to call Hitachi.

Order a replacement alternator by year, make and model like everyone else and it will work.

[MitchW]

Trouble is, I don't want a standard 40 amp unit and that's all the year, make and model will get me.
There must be a difference between the 708 and 708c, and that's what I'm trying to establish.

[ct1500]

The difference is not in amperage as they were both 40A when new and installed on the 1500. If you want more amperage go with an aftermarket or maybe somebody with dubious output claims on the Net will sell you a Hitachi with more than 40A.

[Mh434]

Personally, I wouldn't go with a stock alternator - they were ALL 40-amp units as far as I can determine (and that's at higher RPM), which is marginal at best for a GL1500. The aftermarket ones (I have a 95-amp LActrical one) are far cheaper than the Honda (Hitachi) ones, and put out more at idle than the OEM ones do at max output.

[MitchW]

Yeah, I just ordered a dodgy brothers one on line and they reckon it'll be here around the 20th of Jan, so, I'll let you all know how it goes when it arrives. Thanks all for your help.

[lamasue]

look up ken hemming he does rebuild alt and bench tests them I up graded to 85 amp

[MitchW]

Where is he located.

[MikeB]

Here is his website http://myplace.frontier.com/~hemi-roid/

[cardinal]

Personally, I wouldn't go with a stock alternator - they were ALL 40-amp units as far as I can determine (and that's at higher RPM), which is marginal at best for a GL1500. The aftermarket ones (I have a 95-amp LActrical one) are far cheaper than the Honda (Hitachi) ones, and put out more at idle than the OEM ones do at max output.

How many miles have you put on this alternator? I got less than 30,000 miles on a rebuild, never got more than about 50,000 from an OEM, and a buddy of mine had problems with a Comp U Fire at less than 50,000 miles.
Is it required, or just recommended, to use a sealed battery when you go to the 90 amp alternators?

[MikeB]

I have over 200,000 miles on the Compufire alternator that is on my GL1500. It has been on two different GL1500's.

[redial]

Is it required, or just recommended, to use a sealed battery when you go to the 90 amp alternators?

It is (strongly) recommended because the Compufire may cause some electrolyte to boil off because it produces more than a normal battery can take. Most adopters of the Compufire and other higher output alternators quickly change to Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) type of batteries.