100A 3-wire alt, regulator or no regulator?
#963283
03/31/11 08:22 PM
03/31/11 08:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 329 Cincinnati, OH
68red440
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 329
Cincinnati, OH
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This winter on my Coronet I added electric fans so I upgraded to a 100A tuff stuff alternator with an internal regulator. On the back of the alternator, I attached the ground wire to the case per the instructions. I added an 8Ga cable from the alternator stud to the starter relay. I left the voltage regulator in the car, overlooking the fact that the alternator already had one. So when I drove it, the volt meter inside the car was oscillating from 14 to 16 the entire time. Before the upgrade the voltage would stay steady at 14.7, and that is how I drove it the past few years. Last night I removed the regulator from the firewall, and jumpered across the regulator connections. I also removed the regulator ground strap and left it off. Tonight with the engine running, the volt meter climbed to 18V and stayed pegged. The regulator is one that looks stock, but is electronic. It worked great for years with the 60A alt. Did I miss something in the wiring? I don't need an external regulator, do I?
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Re: 100A 3-wire alt, regulator or no regulator?
[Re: Theorio1025]
#963285
03/31/11 09:04 PM
03/31/11 09:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 606 Montana
Yancy Derringer
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 606
Montana
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Quote:
No if it is internally regulated you have no need for the external regulator
I just got back from their @#mn poor website, and I don't believe you are correct. The only instructions for the 7509 series (if that is what he has) shoes a "field grounding kit" intended to convert isolated field alternators to use the 69/ earlier regulator.
The fact that after he bypassed the regulator, it is obviously overcharging tells me he needs an external regulator.
I would say your original problem is either a voltage drop issue in the harness/ bulkhead connector, a regulator grounding problem, or a defective regulator
Hook up your regulator as you had it and try the following tests:
Start the car, get the battery "up," and make these tests at simulated "medium cruise" engine RPM. Make the tests once with all accessories off, then again with lights, heater, or other loads on
With the engine running "med. cruise" take your meter and stick one probe directly onto the battery negative post. Stick the other directly onto the regulator mount flange. You are looking for a very low voltage reading, zero is perfect. Anything over .2V (two tenths of a volt) is too much. If it is over this, improve the ground between the battery and the regulator
Now check the hot side of the harness. What you are checking for here is the voltage drop from the battery, through the bulkhead, harness, to the connector at the ign switch, through the switch, back out the connector, harness, bulkhead, and to the regulator.
Stick one probe directly onto the battery positive post, the other as close as you can to the regulator IGN run (dark blue, normally) terminal. Probably the ignition ballast resistor connection is close as you'll get.
As with the ground, you are looking for a very low reading, and anything over .2V is too much. You could have an ignition switch going TU, a loose connector, or problems with the bulkhead connector, or other harness problems.
Also go over your main heavy charging wire, check for poor connections, heat, melting, etc.
If none of this cures the pulsing problem, try a different "high quality" regulator.
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Re: 100A 3-wire alt, regulator or no regulator?
[Re: Yancy Derringer]
#963291
04/01/11 03:03 PM
04/01/11 03:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA
jbc426
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277
West Coast, USA
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...and upgrade that mounting bolt. The one you have on there is likely going to break off at the head in a short time.
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
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Re: 100A 3-wire alt, regulator or no regulator?
[Re: 68red440]
#963292
04/01/11 10:49 PM
04/01/11 10:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,415 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,415
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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Quote:
This is a 3-wire. So it sounds like I do need an external regulator. I'll run tests tonight. Any recommendations on a VR for higher amp systems?
Who hacked the upper pivot like that??? All thread??? I would worry more about the mounting first.
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