Topic: since search isnt working (alternator wires)
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
I had to rewire the two wires comming out of the alternator (sp) on my 82 crossfire. the old pigtail has seen better days, and one wire finally gave up the ghost and broke off.
anyways I, to temp fix it till I get a new pigtail, wired in two coated female contectors that fit the two male conectors on the altinernator with no movement.
I checked the battery charge 12.4 volts. Started the car and its charging at 17.6 volts. This seems a little high to me, but the previous owner installed a high output alternator.
I checked discharging while running, using power windows, lights radio, hazards, and heater it drops to 16.5 but the guage on the dash drops from high charge, nearly over charge, to 13.
I shut all the items I turned on off. Turned off the key. held the door light switch in the off positon, Battery with no power drain on it still connected to car reads 12.3 volts
Is this correct?
the in dash alternator guage has never really moved much at all, Im thinking the charging system has not had good connection to the alternator since before I purchased it.
I will be installing a new pigtail on it as soon as I get the correct one for it.
Any ideas?
Marcus
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Former Member
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
The voltage sounds high to me. I believe the correct charging voltage should be 13.5 - 14.5 volts. Alternator voltage that is too high can damage the battery and perhaps other components.
Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
i agree with you on that.
but i dont get it, the wire broke and i made a better conection thats all I did. the car had no issues before the wire broke.
another guy told me that the higher output alternators are measured in amps not volts. should I recheck in volts or is the internal voltage regulator out on my alternator?
Marcus
Hello,
If your battery has discharged while the connector was intermittent you could well see a higher than
normal charging rate. I would charge the battery fully and see what your readings are after that.
If a high charge rate continues the battery could be damaged. Take the Positive off and read the battery
voltage directly. (out of circuit) See what you get.
All the best.
Keith
If your battery has discharged while the connector was intermittent you could well see a higher than
normal charging rate. I would charge the battery fully and see what your readings are after that.
If a high charge rate continues the battery could be damaged. Take the Positive off and read the battery
voltage directly. (out of circuit) See what you get.
All the best.
Keith
Nobody ever waves when I'm driving the Explorer.
K Woody
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Any 12v alternator putting out more than 15 volts has some sort of problem. Granted, you might see it run up to 15v right after starting, but only for a few seconds. Usually, anytime I've ever seen a GM/Delco alternator putting out that much (17v) voltage, the regulator has taken a dump. I have also seen NEW regulators do that, so new don't mean good.
That much constant voltage input to the battery will damage the battery, as well as possibly the computer circuitry...17v is also getting up there to the point of popping light bulbs. I would be very leery of running it much more without correcting the problem.
Are you certain the wires are back in the correct location on the two wire connection? If you are, then I'd have to say you have a bad regulator, OR...something in the charging circuit is shorting out, and is requiring the voltage to stay that high. Even so, it shouldn't be 17v. If something was shorting out to cause it, you should be able to follow the smoke to the source...
A 12v battery will always show 12-12.5 volts at rest, even if you have been putting 17 volts to it, engine running. Charging it with more voltage will not raise the rating of the battery...it's still a 12v batt.
High output alternators simply provide more amperage...not voltage.
That much constant voltage input to the battery will damage the battery, as well as possibly the computer circuitry...17v is also getting up there to the point of popping light bulbs. I would be very leery of running it much more without correcting the problem.
Are you certain the wires are back in the correct location on the two wire connection? If you are, then I'd have to say you have a bad regulator, OR...something in the charging circuit is shorting out, and is requiring the voltage to stay that high. Even so, it shouldn't be 17v. If something was shorting out to cause it, you should be able to follow the smoke to the source...
A 12v battery will always show 12-12.5 volts at rest, even if you have been putting 17 volts to it, engine running. Charging it with more voltage will not raise the rating of the battery...it's still a 12v batt.
High output alternators simply provide more amperage...not voltage.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
UPDATE:
I took the alternator to a local repair shop today.
Bearings went out, rectifier diodes, and voltage regulator are all bad.
Marcus
Thank you all for your imput.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
At least it wasn't a wiring issue!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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