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  • #1

    charging question

    So on my fox I put a 3G alternator on there with the proper wiring setup, but I also added underdrives as they came with the alt and I NEEDED new water/crank pulleys at the time. The car seems like it doesn't have anymore amps than the old stock alternator did with stock pulleys.

    If I take it to Autozone or some place like that can they test it and tell me if it's good despite the pulleys, or will they automatically tell me it's bad just because of the pulleys?

    Also, anyone want to trade a good set of stock pulleys for my underdrives? I really would rather leave the HP on the table and get better charging/cooling since the car isn't fast anyways with the stock heads and all.
    Originally posted by stevo
    Not a good idea to go Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor on the power phallus.

    Stevo
    Tags: None
  • #2
    how's the charging with a load (AC, lights, radio, elec fan)? Did the gauge needle drop when there was a load before? Does that still happen?

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    • #3
      I haven't checked it with a voltmeter or anything other than the crappy ass gauge yet, but it's about the same from the stock alt to the 3g with underdrives. Both times the needle was JUST above the 2nd line between the A and the L with no lights on. I have a radio, but just the 4 speakers and no amp at this time, no AC, no electric fan. When I turn on the lights the gauge drops to JUST below the 2nd line. Also after I fully charged my battery (which I'm not yet convinced isn't at least part of the problem) and replaced my dash gauge lights, with the motor off but the park lamps and dash lights on, they were nice and bright... with the motor running and driving it the other night, the gauges were relatively dim and seemed to get worse as I drove so I'm not sure it's charging enough to even make up for lights and radio driving at night.
      Originally posted by stevo
      Not a good idea to go Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor on the power phallus.

      Stevo

      Comment

      • #4
        What size amp alt did you install? I would recommend stock pulleys regardless if your running ac. Your ac cooling will suffer slightly from it as the compressor is now spinning less rpms. You could try leaving the smaller alt pulley on there and switching to a stock crank pulley and that will pick up the charging at idle but may not be too for the alt at 6k rpms

        Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

        RESIDENT ELECTRICIAN AND WIRING GURU!!!!

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        • #5
          You can't tell shit from the gauge. Use a meter to test. Check idle and around 1500 rpm. Use a smaller pulley to spin it faster if needed. Do you have upgraded power wire from the alt to battery? Engine to frame? Frame to battery?

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          • #6
            The car currently has no AC at all, the Alt is a 3G alternator (140 amp) and is a motorcraft unit. I have 4 gauge wiring from the alt to the solenoid with a 150amp fuse inline. I haven't upgraded the ground wires yet and it's still on my list.

            I had the battery charging overnight and it's still taking a charge after I drove it maybe 40 miles total right after fully charging it, so I'm a little shocked it's still taking a charge.

            I disconnected the charger, and it read 12.41 volts with the key off. With the key set to run, but engine off (radio/fuel pump on) it read 12.39 and the dash lights were brighter with the car off then they were when I started it. Running at idle (~900 RPM) it was at 12.31 volts and did not change when I had the engine steady at 2000 RPM. Turned it off and it read 12.51 volts at the battery. At this point I think I'll take it to autozone and get it tested after I install my control arms...



            Originally posted by stevo
            Not a good idea to go Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor on the power phallus.

            Stevo

            Comment

            • #7
              its not charging. Did you check to make sure there is a keyed power and the alt lamp lead is correct? Those two with keyed positive will turn on the internal regulator and it should charge, assuming it isnt bad.
              "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry Ford

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Baron View Post
                its not charging. Did you check to make sure there is a keyed power and the alt lamp lead is correct? Those two with keyed positive will turn on the internal regulator and it should charge, assuming it isnt bad.
                Not entirely sure I understand what wires you're talking about... I followed the directions I found on another forum and ran the 4g wire from the alt through a 150amp fuse to the + side of the starter solenoid, I connected the factory 3 prong plug to the alt just like the 2g unit, and I spliced in the 3g "field winding power input" connector to the wire as indicated in this drawing.

                Originally posted by stevo
                Not a good idea to go Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor on the power phallus.

                Stevo

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                • #9
                  just pick up a small alt. pulley. Your wiring looks correct.

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                  • #10
                    So I was screwing with it this morning and decided to put the old Alt back on it and test that out with the original wiring. Well, no change, no charging...

                    I started looking more closely and realized I had the blue connector (can be seen in pic above) next to the battery under the starter solenoid disconnected so I reconnected it and started the car and NOW it works! I still need to swap the 3G back in and test it out but at least the 2G charges it.

                    However, when I turn on the headlights or park lights, my whole dash gauges go funky and it turns on the hazzards, makes the temp gauge go all the way up, and the alt gauge go all the way down as well as kills my speedo and my tach... What a PITA.


                    Edit: I put the 3g back on it and started it up, no more problems.
                    Last edited by bird_dog0347; 06-26-2013, 10:01 AM.
                    Originally posted by stevo
                    Not a good idea to go Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor on the power phallus.

                    Stevo

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Woohoo! Nice Nick, We are gonna have to take the Coupes out to some car gtg, Mine is about to be up. When are you gonna put your AC in? I have to put in all new stuff on mine to get the AC back working. I think I even have to drop the dash too Congrats on getting it charging. I know its been a thorn in your side!
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                      He'll piss in a glass!

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                      • #12
                        glad you got it fixed.
                        "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry Ford

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by SEB View Post
                          Woohoo! Nice Nick, We are gonna have to take the Coupes out to some car gtg, Mine is about to be up. When are you gonna put your AC in? I have to put in all new stuff on mine to get the AC back working. I think I even have to drop the dash too Congrats on getting it charging. I know its been a thorn in your side!
                          I went to the carrollton GTG last week in it, and I'll likely be at the next cars & coffee with it if I'm in town. I might end up back at Sonic tomorrow night too, but I don't know yet.

                          As for the AC, I know I still need the compressor, the can that goes on the passenger side firewall (dryer??) and a few hoses, plus a charge so I doubt it'll be this year but hopefully before next summer. Or I might just say screw it and get the kit from LMR so it can be all new with the newer refrigerant.

                          When you gonna buy those headers from me?
                          Originally posted by stevo
                          Not a good idea to go Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor on the power phallus.

                          Stevo

                          Comment

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