This is work in progress right now, but I’m engineering an alternator upgrade for the Bedford Rascal. The existing 40A Mitsubishi alternator is fine for a Rascal van, not so good for a camper like the Bambi with leisure battery, electric fridge, halogen light upgrade etc.

Please note that the following is for people who are experienced/capable with auto electrical stuff. If you’re not, then this article is not for you as it’s potentially the quickest way to torch your van if you get it wrong. Any modifications should be declared to your insurer or you may void your cover.

The upgrade will be to use the alternator off a late 90’s Peugeot 106 (Bosch). Reasons are:

• There are lots around
• They are cheap
• They kick out 70A which is more than enough
• They are not much bigger than the existing alternator
• The top to bottom hole space is almost identical
• They fit on the right hand side of the engine – many FWD alternators don’t
• They have  a bolt on terminal so you don’t need to find a whacky plug and piece of wiring loom
• They have a single V pulley instead of the multi-V
• The pulley is approximately the same diameter

It’s not a simple bolt on job, a few things are required:

• A longer V belt
• A revised lower alternator bracket (the top one can stay)
• Extra wiring with a higher current carrying capacity

I’m currently only at the drawing stage. Click on the link at the end of the paragraph for a zip file containing the drawings of the existing Mitsubishi alternator, the new Bosch one, and also the before and after brackets. rascal_alternator

The new bracket hasn’t been made or tested yet so please take these drawings at your own risk!