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Alternator Upgrade?

Posted By: Viol8r

Alternator Upgrade? - 05/31/11 09:33 PM

Recently installed EFI, electric fuel pump. Already had stereo/amp and digitial ignition system in there. I have a one wire 60amp Denso Toyota style alternator on the car.

The stock Ammeter gauge used to be close to 12 o'clock, now it holds pretty consistent at just below 20. I still show the battery charging at 14.0 volts. Am I going to need to upgrade the alternator to get the amp gauge closer to 0, or is it ok to run these kind of numbers? If my Volt gauge shows the correct battery voltage can I assume I have enough alternator for the job?
Posted By: jbc426

Re: Alternator Upgrade? - 06/01/11 12:34 AM

Sounds like you better start by bypassing the Amp Gauge and the bulkhead connectors first before you go up in smoke.
Posted By: FrankenScamp

Re: Alternator Upgrade? - 06/01/11 12:45 AM

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

LOTS of good tech here....upgrades are only as good as the crappy old wiring that feeds them. Yes bypass the ammeter and drill the bulkhead. It's not hard.
Posted By: ahy

Re: Alternator Upgrade? - 06/01/11 12:55 AM

Quote:

Sounds like you better start by bypassing the Amp Gauge and the bulkhead connectors first before you go up in smoke.




Good idea. Also, if you wored up the EFI and maybe fuel pump directly to the battery or fender relay (as recommended) it confuses the ammeter. The ammeter thinks the power being used by the EFI is going to the battery and shows charge all the time.

Its time for a bulkhead bypass which can be as easy as a length of charge wire from the alternator to the fender relay with appropriate fusible link soldered in. Follow that up with a volt meter in the passenger compartment and you will be in better shape. The voltmeter will monitor system condition.

The 60 amp denso is likley marginal in your application but first priority is to get the load off the ammeter and bulkhead connector.
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