C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

power from alternator or battery?

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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 10:17 AM
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Default power from alternator or battery?

Hi,
Corvette 1895 with a a refurbished new alternator. I have an old Jacob's ignition box that get 12V.
Does it matters it draw from the BATT terminal of the alternator, or its better to connect it to the battery?
Thanks

Here the possitive of the control box of the ignition is directly connected to the BATT terminal.

Here its connected on the positive terminal of the battery.
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 11:37 AM
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I've always hooked everything to the battery. People claim it's better to go to the alternator for high draw parts. I've done it both and haven't noticed a real change in voltage drop at the part. It doesn't really matter imo.
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 11:56 AM
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From a purely electrical standpoint, it shouldn't matter. The alternator connection would eliminate the issue of corrosion due to exposure to battery acid vapors. But, in that photo, the ring terminal's crimp connection looks dangerously close to shorting out to the alternator's case. I'd give that some more clearance.

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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 12:29 PM
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It dosent matter but I can tell you if its a CD box, go to battery. You'd think it dosent matter but it does.
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Old Feb 13, 2021 | 04:51 AM
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Originally Posted by FostersPerformance
It dosent matter but I can tell you if its a CD box, go to battery. You'd think it dosent matter but it does.
Long story short. about a month ago, I moved the CD box cable from the battery to the BATT terminal @ the alternator. Since then it seems I got odd issues with the charging. Sometimes I got spike (15.7-16V) and sometimes I got no charge < 12V. The alternator is new. I moved the CD box cable back to the battery and verified the cables are tight.
since then I drove about 50 miles with no charging issues. I hope it solved my problem and not going in too a new adventure.
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 12:15 PM
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I would also connect directly to the battery. Then there will be no questions and no worries.
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