Originally Posted by 71Demon528
Originally Posted by Tig
Originally Posted by HardcoreB
Looking good but, some of us don't even need an alternator.


Just for info, I borrowed a calibrated ammeter from work and connected it inline with the Alternator o/p. We were pulling over 50A at Idle with just the fans, water pump, fuel pump, ign and data logger on. I didn't try it with the lights on as well since the the shunt for the ammeter was only rated for 50A eek With the engine off and just the lights the current was around 20A, this time connected to the battery feed (it didn't read anything connected to the alternator grin).
My conclusion was: If I had a race car I'd still run an alternator, though I do know folk who just keep the battery topped up between rounds and don't seem to have any issues shruggy


I used to not run an alternator and only charged in between rounds with a 16v battery. Never had an Issue. Then got sick of hustling around if I made it to round robin. Put a 150amp alternator on, and was one of the best investments I ever made. Now I don’t have to charge at all in between rounds.

I still run an alternator FWIW. I too had to 'sink' the alt body into the motorplate. The number of 'rounds' I've ever gone is limited, which I'm sure Doug read it as an inside joke. It took a little attention but, mine recharges well above 1600rpm with my set-up (which is one fan). But, I'm getting pushed thru staging too(starter hit is the biggest drain). Generally speaking, for a good bracket guy, I don't see why you wouldn't engineer a good charging system.