Alternator Question
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Thanks for all the advice guys but I'm still confused (and not afraid to admit it). If the current doesn't flow through the amp gage how can it show if the battery is charging or discharging? The way it sounds the only wiring that has to be changed is the power lead that comes off the alternator. Is this the wire that is connected to the starter with the power wire that connects to the battery? Again thanks a lot. Electrical is not my strong point.
68 Vetteman
68 Vetteman
You can add another 10 ga charge wire in parallel. That should take care of any amps you have added inside the cabin.
If adding fans, then connect them to the horn junction, then fused to a separate relay then to the fans.
The added draw from the fans and the additional power thru the extra charge wire will not show on the ammeter since they won't signal it.
You will still know that the alternator is charging or discharging, just not by how much.
If the fans are running and the battery is charged, it will show a minimal charge on the gauge, but the alternator will still be feeding the fans sufficiently.
Hope I haven't confused you more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
You can add another 10 ga charge wire in parallel. That should take care of any amps you have added inside the cabin.
If adding fans, then connect them to the horn junction, then fused to a separate relay then to the fans.
The added draw from the fans and the additional power thru the extra charge wire will not show on the ammeter since they won't signal it.
You will still know that the alternator is charging or discharging, just not by how much.
If the fans are running and the battery is charged, it will show a minimal charge on the gauge, but the alternator will still be feeding the fans sufficiently
thats how i did my dual fans.
If adding fans, then connect them to the horn junction, then fused to a separate relay then to the fans.
The added draw from the fans and the additional power thru the extra charge wire will not show on the ammeter since they won't signal it.
You will still know that the alternator is charging or discharging, just not by how much.
If the fans are running and the battery is charged, it will show a minimal charge on the gauge, but the alternator will still be feeding the fans sufficiently
thats how i did my dual fans.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
The problem i have with electric fans is that they shut off allowing the cooling system to heat up. The belt driven fans are cooling all the time keeping the radiator a little cooler. This thermal reserve comes in handy when doing some spirited driving.
When i had by Buick Grand National i jumpered out the fan T-Stat and let them run all the time. They ran out of brushes within few years.
In addition i do not feel electric fans are more reliable. Normally the engine driven fan has a primary and backup belt. With electric any connection issue will cause overheating.
When i had by Buick Grand National i jumpered out the fan T-Stat and let them run all the time. They ran out of brushes within few years.
In addition i do not feel electric fans are more reliable. Normally the engine driven fan has a primary and backup belt. With electric any connection issue will cause overheating.
Last edited by turtlevette; Dec 20, 2010 at 01:31 PM.
