RE: charging issues

["Dennis C." <dennis.2914@xxxxxxxxx>]

I doubt you have a short or voltage/amperage drain.

Do you have the right ballast resistor?  

Check the connections on the ballast resistor.

Check that the ignition module has a good ground, if in doubt run a 
temporary ground wire.

Check the ground on the voltage regulator, very important.

Check the voltage at idle on both sides of the ballast resistor.  Maybe 
someone can check the reading on theirs for comparision.  The 
information may be in the manual.

It seems like there is something wrong with the ignition system or 
connections to the ignition system.  You should not have a problem at 
12.5 volts.

If you don't have an electronic voltage regulator going to one might 
help a little.  I got my electronic regulator from O'Reilly Auto Parts:

MasterPro Ignition 
BWD REF: R280
SMP REF: VR-101

I have found 4 different regulators under the same numbers.  If you turn 
the voltage regulator over and it has resistors it is mechanical, 
another is the same except chrome and they have one that is electronic 
that is black and looks reasonably correct, I am using one that is 
plastic and works great.  Look in the box before you buy, they are 
cheap.

If you actually have 14.5 volts it is slightly high.

I went through 3 regulators before I corrected my problem by running a 
new wire from the regulator directly to the alternator and to insure the 
regulator was getting a good reading I also ran a ground wire from the 
alternator to a regulator mounting screw.  

Beyond this maybe someone else will chime in.  

If you go to a larger alternator you will need to upgrade the wiring, it 
is easy to fry your wiring harness.

If no one supplies the information I can see if I can find it for you, 
it has been posted here what year a newer alternator will supply more 
current and is available at auto parts stores cheap.

A smaller pulley on the alternaor could help if one is available.

You could try another stock alternator

Good Luck
Dennis C.


laborboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> I have a 1964 Dodge Polara with 383, a/c, cd player, and high-voltage 
> (Mopar Perf) coil. My alternator is standard, 50 amps. At driving speeds 
> 
> I get 14.5 volts charging with accessories on, no problems. My problem 
> is at low idle in drive with accessories on (like at a stop light). My 
> car cuts out with all accessories on in those situations; voltage is 
> 12.5 and clearly discharging the battery.
> 
> If I get a higher output alternator (60 amp, 75 amp), will that solve my 
> 
> problem at low idle? What amp should I go with? Is there a way to check 
> the amperage while idling?
> 
> Is it possible that I have a short, or voltage/amperage drain? 



1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Van Conversion
1964 Plymouth Belvedere 318 Auto
1963 Plymouth Sport Fury 383 4-speed
1949 Dodge Pickup 289/C4 soon to be changed
1998 Honda Valkyrie Standard


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