Alternator Upgrade Checklist.
Hey guys,
Recently I have taken on my 66 Dart /6 head on with the wiring changes that these cars require after many years in service. This included;
Ammeter bypass - I used the MAD method, which wires the ammeter wires (and the welded splice) in parallel, making the starter solenoid the new main buss. I replaced the starter solenoid as well.
Alternator Charging wire - Replaced the old wire with an 8ga wire, running to the solenoid, not through the bulkhead anymore. Wire is currently unprotected but I have 12ga fusable links on order
Bulkhead connectors - Cleaned these terminals as best as possible with a wire brush and electronics cleaner, and put Dielectric grease on the terminals to help keep corrosion out.
Instrument Cluster Voltage "limiter" - Replaced the old mechanical voltage limiter for the cluster with a solid state 7805 voltage regulator.
Alternator output was very poor even before starting these changes, and has only marginally improved since them. At 2k rpm, the alternator WAS pushing 7-9 amps, and now it holds about 13amps. I still have the old mechanical voltage regulator as well, which ive checked the ground and the terminals on.
So what I've just done is ordered a newer Nippendenso 120a Alternator from Rock auto ($45 seemed like a steal and I couldnt pass it up). It is for a 1990 Ramcharger. I also ordered the solid state voltage regulator & pigtail.
My plan is to install the voltage regulator as shown here
My only modification here will be a relay wired into the ignition switch wire. Im doing this to lift the load off the factory wire. Im doing this wherever possible, the headlights are next in line.
As you probably well know, the newer generation alternators are capable of much higher output at low rpm's, doing away with voltage dropping off or even fluctuating on extended idle. The round back and squareback alternators just never could achieve this, so I feel like its well worth the investment.
So theres my checklist, is there something else that needs attention that I'm overlooking? Please let me know. Thanks :coffee2:
Hey guys,
Recently I have taken on my 66 Dart /6 head on with the wiring changes that these cars require after many years in service. This included;
Ammeter bypass - I used the MAD method, which wires the ammeter wires (and the welded splice) in parallel, making the starter solenoid the new main buss. I replaced the starter solenoid as well.
Alternator Charging wire - Replaced the old wire with an 8ga wire, running to the solenoid, not through the bulkhead anymore. Wire is currently unprotected but I have 12ga fusable links on order
Bulkhead connectors - Cleaned these terminals as best as possible with a wire brush and electronics cleaner, and put Dielectric grease on the terminals to help keep corrosion out.
Instrument Cluster Voltage "limiter" - Replaced the old mechanical voltage limiter for the cluster with a solid state 7805 voltage regulator.
Alternator output was very poor even before starting these changes, and has only marginally improved since them. At 2k rpm, the alternator WAS pushing 7-9 amps, and now it holds about 13amps. I still have the old mechanical voltage regulator as well, which ive checked the ground and the terminals on.
So what I've just done is ordered a newer Nippendenso 120a Alternator from Rock auto ($45 seemed like a steal and I couldnt pass it up). It is for a 1990 Ramcharger. I also ordered the solid state voltage regulator & pigtail.
My plan is to install the voltage regulator as shown here
My only modification here will be a relay wired into the ignition switch wire. Im doing this to lift the load off the factory wire. Im doing this wherever possible, the headlights are next in line.
As you probably well know, the newer generation alternators are capable of much higher output at low rpm's, doing away with voltage dropping off or even fluctuating on extended idle. The round back and squareback alternators just never could achieve this, so I feel like its well worth the investment.
So theres my checklist, is there something else that needs attention that I'm overlooking? Please let me know. Thanks :coffee2: