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Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating #1144379
12/26/11 05:11 PM
12/26/11 05:11 PM
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YO7_A66 Offline OP
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I started a new thread focusing on just my ammeter issue.
The below car has an issue with the ammeter bouncing around from just left of the center mark (1/4" or so) to the positive side of the ammeter about 3/4 up on the guage.
At idle, the ammeter is bouncing back and fourth fairly fast and when I bring the idle rpms up to around 1400rpms or so, the guage smooths out. The main volage gauge is jumping back and forth between 13 to 15 volts just as fast as the ammeter is bouncing.
From another thread, I changed out the voltage regulator and the ammeter and the voltage gauge is acting the same as before the swap.
Do I need to pull off my 1 year old alternator and have it checked?

Thanks


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144380
12/26/11 05:21 PM
12/26/11 05:21 PM
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Andrewh Online content
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what alternator, and what voltage regulator?

that is, do you have a stock vr or the solid state?

is the alt stock, or a high amp model?

have you checked voltage at the battery when running?

have you checked voltage to the voltage regulator?
how about ground to the voltage reg?

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: Andrewh] #1144381
12/26/11 05:38 PM
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Alternator is a Powermaster 75a unit (63a at idle and 93a total) and both voltage regulators are NAPA replacement units. The first VR is about one year old and the second one was bought last week.
The VR's were/are mounted on the firewall with a ground wire mounted off of each of the mounting bolts that go thru the firewall. Each of the ground wires go to different grounds in the engine compartment.
When I swapped to the second VR today and placed the positive wire from my multi meter on the positive side of the battery and then placed the negative wire from my MM on both of the VR mounting bolts and I got battery voltage. There is also a metal strip on the VR just below the connector and it also showed battery voltage. The body is definately grounded.
I did not check battery voltage at the battery or the VR with the engine running today. I just just watching both of my volt meters that are mounted inside of the car. One gauge is wired in to show battery voltage (switched) and the other is showing the battery feed voltage at my MSD unit. The battery voltage was fluctuating between 13-15 volts and the MSD 12v feed was fluctuating between 13.5-14.5. Both guages "average" 14.0 volts if that means anything.

Thank you for your reply.

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144382
12/26/11 06:13 PM
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where are you getting the sensing voltage from for your vr?

as that signal passes through the bulkhead like 3 times in stock wiring.
did you see if that is plusing too?

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: Andrewh] #1144383
12/26/11 06:51 PM
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I am using the stock wiring harness except that at the bulkhead, I had to bypass the blue wire around the bulkhead last year due to a burnt connector. Since the bypass, it ran fine all last year.
This came up on my last thread so I will throw it out there. I just installed a MSD ignition box and on the 12v switched feed to the MSD box, I connected three wires, the RUN blue wire (goes to the alternator/VR), the brown CRANK wire, and I also wired in the voltage guage that is showing a fluctuation of 13.5-14.5. These three wires are what is feeding the MSD 12v feed. I asked a MSD tech about wiring the voltage gauge in on the 12v supply and they said that it would be fine. I am not 100% sure on this as other board members have questioned it too.

Thank you.


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144384
12/27/11 07:14 AM
12/27/11 07:14 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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On a difficult case like this one I'd use some jumpers directly: 8ga from alt to batt positive terminal (or starter relay), jumper from batt positive terminal to VE sense terminal. Jumper from batt to alt blue field wire male terminal. jumper from alt green field wire male terminal to VR side terminal. jumper from vr case to batt neg post and jumper from alt case to batt neg post. If it is now straight then remove 1 jumper at a time to pin down the offending circuit. If it's still acting up w all jumpers connected which is what I think it will be doing then that points to the alt. EDIT said VE but meant VR (voltage regulator)

Last edited by RapidRobert; 12/27/11 08:13 AM.

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: RapidRobert] #1144385
12/27/11 12:00 PM
12/27/11 12:00 PM
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check the brushes in the alternator, and that the screws that holds the brushes are tight.

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: cuda-sweden] #1144386
12/27/11 12:29 PM
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I have the old alternator that was working before I swapped in the higher amp unit from Powermaster. I might remove the PM unit and take it in for a test or swap in the old unit to see if I still get the voltage fluctuations.

Thanks allot.


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144387
12/27/11 01:22 PM
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also there is a square back that puts out 78 amps. 50 bucks at any auto parts store with a lifetime warranty.
just incase you get sick of dealing with powermaster warranties.

just look up an 89 new yorker full size.

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: Andrewh] #1144388
12/27/11 04:46 PM
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I just found that 78a unit on the O'Reily web sight. I will pull this one and have it tested and then decide what direction to go.

Thanks allot


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144389
12/27/11 05:11 PM
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I guessing you'd want a stock looking alternator. But this denso unit off a Suzuki Samauri is awesome. Sooooo steady at low low rpm.

6986902-2_22_11Sm2.jpg (324 downloads)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: autoxcuda] #1144390
12/27/11 06:16 PM
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Quote:

I guessing you'd want a stock looking alternator. But this denso unit off a Suzuki Samauri is awesome. Sooooo steady at low low rpm.


details?? same brackets? what size belt? any alignment issues?

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: autoxcuda] #1144391
12/27/11 06:23 PM
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If there is a problem with this PM unit, I am going to give them a chance to fix it. It puts out 63a at idle and with all of my lights on plus brakes, my ammeter never moved, until now. It is still under warranty and I am not driving the car right now, so I have some time.

Please give some info on the Denso unit. Does it mount the same as a stocker? What is the idle and the total amp rating. Where did you buy it?

Thanks to all.


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: mikemee1331] #1144392
12/27/11 06:45 PM
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Quote:

Quote:

I guessing you'd want a stock looking alternator. But this denso unit off a Suzuki Samauri is awesome. Sooooo steady at low low rpm.


details?? same brackets? what size belt? any alignment issues?




I used my 68 340 non a/c brackets. But the lower adjuster bracket was shortened a few inches. And there are spacers to align the V-groove pulley after mocking up with washers.

I drilled and tapped the alternator adjuster bolt hole to take a user friendly 1/2" hex bolt. Then the pivot stud holes where slightly drilled larger to take a std bolt into the block.

www.arengineering.com makes a nice bracket setup for this. And IMHO more stable than my setup.

I have a squeel in my setup under "pedal to the floor" acceration. Alternator may be a little too far out, or just puller groove too smooth, or need to change belt type/brand.




Last edited by autoxcuda; 12/27/11 06:49 PM.
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144393
12/27/11 06:59 PM
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Quote:

...

Please give some info on the Denso unit. Does it mount the same as a stocker? What is the idle and the total amp rating. Where did you buy it?

Thanks to all.




It's rated at 46-50 amp. Plenty for a car with no A/C, no p/w, high amp boombox stereo, etc... My car stock was rated with a 36 amp.

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/MC/1...eek+Google+Base

IIRC, I've seen them on Ebay for like $60 within the last year. If you moparts search my username and denso alternator I linked to the ebay seller that has/had them for a good deal.

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144394
12/27/11 07:06 PM
12/27/11 07:06 PM
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Quote:

If there is a problem with this PM unit, I am going to give them a chance to fix it. It puts out 63a at idle and with all of my lights on plus brakes, my ammeter never moved, until now. It is still under warranty and I am not driving the car right now, so I have some time.

Please give some info on the Denso unit. Does it mount the same as a stocker? What is the idle and the total amp rating. Where did you buy it?

Thanks to all.




I've heard some power master customers that have been unhappy. Especially for the big dollars they get for thier units.

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: autoxcuda] #1144395
12/27/11 07:45 PM
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Nippondenso 102mm

DB Electrical is where I found this alternator before: http://www.dbelectrical.com

Here's threads on how I hooked it up. I did not use a one wire unit. And I run it through my amp gauge. Very easy to wire. Especially on a 69 down early regulator type car.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post6514733



https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post6514626

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: autoxcuda] #1144396
12/29/11 07:23 PM
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I took the Powermaster alternator to my local NAPA store today and it tested perfect on the machine. He said that the numbers could not have been better. He then tested my backup alternator and found it to be putting out too little voltage down low.
I put the alternator back on the car and I made some voltage checks with the key in the ON position. The battery was at 12.0, the alternator was 11,85, and the blue wire at the VR was 11.8, volts.
I am at a loss as to what to check next. I am going to review my wiring before the MSD swap to see what wires were being bypassed at my ballast before and see if I am missing something on my feed to the MSD 12v red wire.
Could I have an issue with the blue 12v wire/s that would cause the ammeter to fluctuate?
Thanks again,


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: YO7_A66] #1144397
12/29/11 08:24 PM
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did you ever track down that 'extra' brown wire? as a test move the MSD off the meter circuit and see if that changes the fluctuating. i know you wnat to monitor the MSD but just for a test sake to see if it's the MSD or the ballast wiring.

Re: Ammeter/Main Voltage Fluctuating [Re: mikemee1331] #1144398
12/29/11 08:46 PM
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The dual brown wire has 12v at crank and at run. I am thinking of adding this back in.
I will seperate the MSD 12v gauge to see if that helps too.
In the back of my mind, I am thinking of pulling the front harness and checking the wires for any issues. I hope that I don't have to do this but it is Winter and I could do it in the house.

thanks for the reply


1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger
340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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