How does an alternator affect the charging system?
The alternator is at the heart of the charging system of your vehicle. Alternator problems and charging system problems can affect your vehicle in different ways. You may notice: your ALT or CHARGE indicator light comes on, your engine is hard to start and cranks slowly, or doesn’t crank, your battery demands lots of water,
What should voltage be from alternator to ground?
From the alternator output to the ground should be at least 13.5-14.0vdc. Then , turn your meter to AC volts. See if you get any real AC volts on the line (bad diodes). All of the local BigName shops now test stuff for free. Autozone is the one nearest me. Bring your Alt in, and they test it. Tom3: Did ’71 have a separate regulator?
Is there such a thing as a 1 wire alternator?
They have to perform some “magic” with internal voltage-drop or rpm detection; and some days, magic just doesn’t work, which is why no manufacturer would ever use a 1-wire alternator. Perhaps most interesting and useful is that with a 3-wire alternator, there is “voltage sensing” input.
What should one wire alternator output be at idle?
Crank the engine while probing the battery posts. It should not go under ~10.5vdc at least. When the engine is at idle, 14.0 -13.8 vdc. Stop engine. Disconnect the alternator lead And start the engine. From the alternator output to the ground should be at least 13.5-14.0vdc.
The alternator is at the heart of the charging system of your vehicle. Alternator problems and charging system problems can affect your vehicle in different ways. You may notice: your ALT or CHARGE indicator light comes on, your engine is hard to start and cranks slowly, or doesn’t crank, your battery demands lots of water,
How do you wire a 1 wire alternator?
Simply connect one wire from the positive battery terminal to the positive alternator terminal. It’s that easy! #1 (Left terminal) NO CHARGE WARNING LIGHT Note that our 1-wire alternators 7127, 7139 and 7140 permits the use of a no charge warning/dashboard indicator light. To wire a warning light, remove the terminal plug cover
From the alternator output to the ground should be at least 13.5-14.0vdc. Then , turn your meter to AC volts. See if you get any real AC volts on the line (bad diodes). All of the local BigName shops now test stuff for free. Autozone is the one nearest me. Bring your Alt in, and they test it. Tom3: Did ’71 have a separate regulator?
Crank the engine while probing the battery posts. It should not go under ~10.5vdc at least. When the engine is at idle, 14.0 -13.8 vdc. Stop engine. Disconnect the alternator lead And start the engine. From the alternator output to the ground should be at least 13.5-14.0vdc.
Are there any disadvantages to one wire alternators?
Another minor disadvantage to one-wire alternators is the rotor in the alternator must achieve a certain speed to self-excite. This usually requires the driver to rev the engine to increase internal voltage to sufficiently excite the alternator to begin charging.
How can I test if my alternator is charging?
You can test the system by running a wire from the positive side of your battery, through small lightbulb to this yellow green wire on the alternator. This should cause the alternator to begin charging (with the engine running of course.)
Can a broken belt cause an alternator to not charge?
The alternator will not be able to charge if your belt wears down over time. Fortunately, the broken belt is easy to replace, and can be a quick fix to get your alternator backup and charging again. A broken pulley goes hand-in-hand with the broken belt. The pulleys and belts are part of the system which converts energy into the alternator.
How to troubleshoot an alternator and charging system problem?
If necessary, adjust the belt with the help of your car owner’s manual or repair manual. Inspect the belt for signs of cracks, cuts, shiny spots, deterioration or other signs of wear or damage. Change the belt and belt tensioner at the manufacturer’s recommended interval. 2. Check for Wiring Problems
Another minor disadvantage to one-wire alternators is the rotor in the alternator must achieve a certain speed to self-excite. This usually requires the driver to rev the engine to increase internal voltage to sufficiently excite the alternator to begin charging.
How big of a charge wire do I need for an alternator?
The voltage-sensing wire is best connected closer to the battery. High-output alternators (greater than 100 amp) need a minimum of an 8-or-larger gauge charge wire to reduce resistance. The bottom wire is AWG 12, the middle is AWG 10, and the largest is AWG 6.
Why does an alternator need a heavier wire than a stock battery?
“An alternator with a higher amp output than stock requires a heavier charge wire (the wire that connects the alternator to the battery) because of the increased amperage.” To evaluate your charging system, try this simple experiment.
Is the alternator charging at 18 volts or 23?
Alternator charging at 18 volts, replaced alt and didn’t fix. Have read some other answers on similar problems, blue wire reads 18 volts, green wire reads.23 volts? have the same problem?
What happens if you start your car without an alternator?
If you were to try and start your vehicle without an alternator, the battery alone would not be able to produce enough power to get the engine running. Even if you had a new car battery and were lucky enough to turn the engine over, it would probably run for about 10 minutes before the power cuts out.
What to do if one wire alternator won’t excite battery?
Find a decent powerful magnet and put it on the side of the alt. Turn on headlights while you crank the starter to start the engine. The large voltage drop will trigger the field and the magnet should help excite the unit. Might need a new regulator in it, not a lot of money. Sep 2, 2010 #4