Need Help With CS144 Alternator Install
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
After reading one of the previous threads that suggested compressing the pulley toward the alternator body to loosen the ring, I tried that. Failed miserably. Tried using all different sizes of screwdrivers to pry it out. Failed miserably. Finally got ticked off, stood it up on end, and tapped (not a hard blow, but not a light "ding," either) in a circular pattern around the lip of the pulley - the edge that was now up in the air, so the pulley was being pushed down toward the alternator body. The ring just jumped up and off. Literally.
You should try duplicating that. I think it was a combo of work you had already done, and a the tapping. I feel sorry for the alt the guy took the grinder to. Such a waste of a good pulley...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
After reading one of the previous threads that suggested compressing the pulley toward the alternator body to loosen the ring, I tried that. Failed miserably. Tried using all different sizes of screwdrivers to pry it out. Failed miserably. Finally got ticked off, stood it up on end, and tapped (not a hard blow, but not a light "ding," either) in a circular pattern around the lip of the pulley - the edge that was now up in the air, so the pulley was being pushed down toward the alternator body. The ring just jumped up and off. Literally.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Got my altanator back today. I was told by the technician that rebuilt it that only one wire is to be hooked up on this one. The sensing circuit is built into the regulator internally so that wire does not have to be hooked up. They swapped pulleys for me so all I have to do is install it.
Bernie
Bernie
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Got my altanator back today. I was told by the technician that rebuilt it that only one wire is to be hooked up on this one. The sensing circuit is built into the regulator internally so that wire does not have to be hooked up. They swapped pulleys for me so all I have to do is install it.
Bernie
Bernie
Keep us posted and include pics please.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Got my altanator back today. I was told by the technician that rebuilt it that only one wire is to be hooked up on this one. The sensing circuit is built into the regulator internally so that wire does not have to be hooked up. They swapped pulleys for me so all I have to do is install it.
Bernie
Bernie
As far as my pulley removal goes, there was no sign that anything had loosened up the ring until I tapped the pulley. I did the same thing immediately afterward to my CS130 (since I needed the fan off of it), and I hadn't touched it yet. The ring jumped right off of it, too. That alt had a smaller pulley, so I hadn't figured out how to get a screwdriver on the ring. I'm pretty sure the tapping did it all, and my previous hour of work was just a waste. I did take the CS144 apart afterward to check it out, there was no sign of any internal damage.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
I did take the CS144 apart afterward to check it out, there was no sign of any internal damage.
No harm no foul. You just stumbled onto a wonderful method of removing compression rings from alt pulleys. *High Five*
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
No harm no foul. You just stumbled onto a wonderful method of removing compression rings from alt pulleys. *High Five*
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
I was more worried about all of my previous bashing having caused damage...I'm really surprised there isn't an alternator-shaped dent in my garage drywall now.
Man, the visual of that just put me in stitches.
Seriously almost fell out of my chair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Got my altanator back today. I was told by the technician that rebuilt it that only one wire is to be hooked up on this one. The sensing circuit is built into the regulator internally so that wire does not have to be hooked up. They swapped pulleys for me so all I have to do is install it.
Bernie
Bernie
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
Benie...any updates? The CS144 I just got has only one wire coming out of the pigtail. None cut off previously...just this one wire. What does this 1 wire connect to?
I just did the swap from an SI to a CS130 for giggles. Went perfectly smooth until I got the wiring adapter in the mail, and it to only has one wire. It has both plugs so I could only hook it up one way but it maks me wonder why none of the other three wires are used.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
This is all very odd. I cut off a couple of CS plugs in the boneyard, and none of them had only one wire.
Look here for the CS pinout: http://www.novaresource.org/alternator.htm
Look here for the CS pinout: http://www.novaresource.org/alternator.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
This is all very odd. I cut off a couple of CS plugs in the boneyard, and none of them had only one wire.
Look here for the CS pinout: http://www.novaresource.org/alternator.htm
Look here for the CS pinout: http://www.novaresource.org/alternator.htm
According to that site I have a non-resistor adapter and it's normal. I want a second opinion...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
If you have a red dash light for your alt, you do not need a resistor; the bulb acts as a resistor. For the one wire applications, the wire goes to the wire that runs to the # 1 plug on the alt. I think it is green. The problem with the CS144 is that there are at least 15 different regulators that could be installed in them and that affects how they need to be wired to our system. I would take it to an alternator rebuild shop and have them tell you exactly how you need to wire it based on the one you have. They have a list based on serial number.
Bernie
Bernie
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
If you have a red dash light for your alt, you do not need a resistor; the bulb acts as a resistor. For the one wire applications, the wire goes to the wire that runs to the # 1 plug on the alt. I think it is green. The problem with the CS144 is that there are at least 15 different regulators that could be installed in them and that affects how they need to be wired to our system. I would take it to an alternator rebuild shop and have them tell you exactly how you need to wire it based on the one you have. They have a list based on serial number.
Bernie
Bernie
So if I build a motor with two CS144s I will need to make sur eboth have the same regulators? Do CS130s have the same variences?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Ok...hooked it up with the 1 wire going to the red wire of the original 2 wire plug (one is white and one is red) Started up. 18 volts at 2500rpm! About 14.3 volts at idle. I smelled wire insulation heating up so turned it off. The hot lead going to the battery was extremely hot. The source of the smell. What do you suggest from here other than a larger wire replacing this one that goes to the starter?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I would definately go with 8 guage wire from the alt to the battery. I would also run an 8 guage wire from the batt post on the alt to a buss barr and use relays to turn on circuits to your lights and other accessories. this will keep all the heavy amperage from the dash area.
Bernie
Bernie
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I have to ask why you would want to put 2 140 amp alternators on your car? One CS144 should be more than enough for any accessories you would be using at any given time. the CS133s were not that good. I would use an older SE alt first. The CS144 is all you need.
Bernie
Bernie
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
I have to ask why you would want to put 2 140 amp alternators on your car? One CS144 should be more than enough for any accessories you would be using at any given time. the CS133s were not that good. I would use an older SE alt first. The CS144 is all you need.
Bernie
Bernie
I'm big into car audio, and have a big system planned for this Vette. I know from many years of experience that most stock charging systems can keep up with a big stereo, but only at high RPMs. It idle spedds, you are draining the battery and recharging it when the RPMs inicrease. Normally this is fine, but I have to replace the battery in my Durango twice a year for this reason. It's warranty and I aven't paid for a new battery in three years.....but if I can avoid the hassle os trying to start the car someday and failing...by installing two alts from the getgo...I will. I was going to do it with two CS130s since I have two brand new ones, and no CS144s.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
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From: Boca Raton Florida
All thats going to do is fry the battery faster Bernie. The reason the wire got so hot is the 18volt output, it is WAY overcharging. Output should be 14.2 or there abouts at speed.
You do need a big wire #8 or so from the alternator to a term block, BUT, that is to feed all the other electrics, Not the battery. Just because you have a 140 amp alternator that does not mean that the battery now needs 18volts to keep up.
It sounds like the alternator is Not seeing the reference voltage supplied thru the alternator light.
You do need a big wire #8 or so from the alternator to a term block, BUT, that is to feed all the other electrics, Not the battery. Just because you have a 140 amp alternator that does not mean that the battery now needs 18volts to keep up.
It sounds like the alternator is Not seeing the reference voltage supplied thru the alternator light.