Modernized Engine Wiring

Uh guys I know quite a bit about diodes - and shunts.

The two problems are where you source your reference voltage from, and what happens when that fails.

Since you are not running a remote sensing regulator on your alternator, your sense voltage is not actually battery voltage. You can wind up undercharging the battery.

If only one of those diodes fails open you have other issues as well.

losing the voltage reference to the alternator has the same effect as removing the positive cable from the battery...

Finally, every rectifier I have ever tested increases voltage drop under load - it does not decrease. The voltage drop does decrease as the diode gets hotter, but that thermal gradient happens with or without load based on case temperature. See your device data sheet, Figure 1:

http://www.vishay.com/docs/94582/175bgq04.pdf .

The OEM system has two big resistors already that should go straight in the trash - the fusible links. Replacing the 16 gauge link with a decent circuit breaker should be job 1.

I am convinced that Mopar went with the low bidder on electrical... and the high bidder was Lucas. All of the wire gauges are undersized, protection is lacking, and now that the systems are 40 years old they are a fire hazard.

B.