Not Charging, pulling my hair out.
OK, a primer. I assume you are using a 70 / later Mopar regulator. Here is a simplified diagram
HOW THIS WORKS. Wire from IGNITION 1 is switched "ignition run" what Ma calls IGN1. This is hot in run. It feeds 12V to the VR IGN terminal, and 12V to one field terminal
The "F" (field) OEM green, is a "controlled ground" by the regulator. To put simply, the VR controls field current by controlling the ground on this field terminal. More field current, more alternator output. More shaft speed, more output
The VR MUST be grounded. MUST
HOW TO BYPASS the regulator:
There are a few pitfalls here.
You may have a break in your charging line, you may have problems with the alternator, and you may have troubles in the field circuit
To boil them all down, do this: REMOVE both field wires.
Take a pair of clip leads and ground either one of the fields. Clip the other one to a battery source DO NOT clip it to the output stud
Start and run, (good fast idle) see if battery voltage increases, and if not....... Measure running voltage at a good fast idle at the alternator stud
"Same as battery" IE 11.xx --12.6 means it's not charging, you hooked it up wrong, or the alternator is bad
"Anything" 13 and higher up to say, 15 means it's charging. So far so good
"Very high" IE above 15 volts means you have a break in the charging line
OK, a primer. I assume you are using a 70 / later Mopar regulator. Here is a simplified diagram
HOW THIS WORKS. Wire from IGNITION 1 is switched "ignition run" what Ma calls IGN1. This is hot in run. It feeds 12V to the VR IGN terminal, and 12V to one field terminal
The "F" (field) OEM green, is a "controlled ground" by the regulator. To put simply, the VR controls field current by controlling the ground on this field terminal. More field current, more alternator output. More shaft speed, more output
The VR MUST be grounded. MUST
HOW TO BYPASS the regulator: There are a few pitfalls here.
You may have a break in your charging line, you may have problems with the alternator, and you may have troubles in the field circuit
To boil them all down, do this: REMOVE both field wires.
Take a pair of clip leads and ground either one of the fields. Clip the other one to a battery source DO NOT clip it to the output stud
Start and run, (good fast idle) see if battery voltage increases, and if not....... Measure running voltage at a good fast idle at the alternator stud
"Same as battery" IE 11.xx --12.6 means it's not charging, you hooked it up wrong, or the alternator is bad
"Anything" 13 and higher up to say, 15 means it's charging. So far so good
"Very high" IE above 15 volts means you have a break in the charging line