Do all alternators have a clutch that prevents them turning in the wrong direction? My Lucas 15 one flows in both directions effortlessly, so just checking this isn't a fault. First time I have had this particular part out of the car so far. It's a Lucas 15 ACR 235908 38-70 12V and pretty messy, just cleaned it up but not much tidier.

 

Nope !


Cheers
DD

 

I'm with Doug.

The Prince of Darkness was GOOD, but not that good.

You have either a bearing jamming, very common, or the brushes themselves are jamming on a lip, less likely.

 

I personally might have a bearing missing, true.

Just to confirm, not all alternators have clutches. Ok.

But does the fact that my one spins both ways unhindered indicate it is mechanically ok or that it is faulty and should only move in one direction and thus there is "bearing jamming, ... or the brushes themselves are jamming on a lip" etc.

To try and make it clear

 

OH,

More coffee PLEASE.

"Normal" alternators rotate in any direction, freely.

Later stuff has what we call an "over-run" clutch pulley fitted. The alternator is still the same, just this "thing" on the shaft, but its not a directional clutch in any way. Sold one for a HiLux yesterday, big $$, and not simple to fit.

Yours is just fine if it rotates both ways.

 

Why/How could/would Anyone install an alternator Backwards, so it turned the Wrong Way?!

Since All components attached to an engine Must spin in the same direction as the engine spins (to the Right as if one was cranking by hand), What would be the need to ensure an Alternator (or anything else for that matter) never spun the wrong direction??!

And I thought BL did some dumb things!
(';')

 

I agree Elinor,

BUT,

The Poms did it.

The V12 E Type alternator is mounted out the front, facing the engine, and thus rotates the other way.

Then, my warped brain kicks in, and the things some people do, and we read on here sometimes, anything is possible, HA.

 

Small if any matter. Alternators will generate current if spun CW or CCW !!!
Corvairs employed engines that turned CCW. Only the cooling fans differed from other Delco alternators.


My son's "restified" Chris Craft 25' cabin cruiser is SBC powered. Because of space limitations, it's Delco alternator spins CCW. CW cooling fan works. Not its optimum air flow, but enough, and it live just fine.


Worry not, not needed !!




Carl