Fried Alternator Wire

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I think this is a Powermaster 65 amp alternator from memory. They are pretty common around here at most FLAPS for not much money. I'll check on one tomorrow.

I've measured the current on each circuit of my car. These cars hardly use any juice at all when running. When I'm "cruising" down the interstate during the day, none of my fans are running, my lights are all off, and the total amperage drain on the system is less than four amps. That's like a 60 watt light bulb. That's it. In town, in hot weather, only my puller fan runs -- so my total running draw is under twenty amps. Unless someone has monster-killing fans, a huge stereo, heavy duty electric fuel pumps coupled to a microwave oven in the trunk, you barely need an alternator at all.

[Rick Parker]

The OEM's use crimping exclusively but for low volume production or 1 offs such as ours, mechanical connection (crimping) and solder have a lot of merit. Anticipated current loads for individual circuits, taking into consideration any future changes or additions will dictate the gauge of wire being used.

[strictlypersonl]

I'm not sure about this, but it may be possible to "re-clock" the back plate of the alternator by removing the long screws that keep everything together.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

I'm not sure about this, but it may be possible to "re-clock" the back plate of the alternator by removing the long screws that keep everything together.

I think it could be possible also. And I suggested to the counter guy at Advance that I would try that if he told me he was OK with it. But it had been awhile since I was last in an alternator and I knew there were leads from the magnet to the brushes, etc. and it could damage it. I think he decided he didn't like the idea of taking the risk so he decided to refund my money instead and I went to NAPA and found one like I needed.

Interestingly Advance had two listing for two different clocked rear cases and they had both in stock. But upon examination they were both the same with termiinals at 8 O'clock.

BUT - I think by removing the 3 case screws the front case can be rotated 120 degress leaving the rear case and magnet assembly together.

[Texasdoc]

I just re-clocked my alternator. It was a TuffStuff alternator and came with instructions on how to clock it.

[bingo2]

Clocking the alternator is easy...lots of instructions on the Net.

You can get the charge wire boot at Summit and probably many other places as well: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-85684/

[ERA Chas]

Dan
Ya know I love you...
but will you just DRIVE THE DAMNED CAR???
Over 4K RPM. With your undercar system, no one on the street will be scared. Carry RPM in the gears.
Stop gawking at it. Get with a local club (any make) who rents track time or autocrosses. You don't have to race, just tour the track lap after lap at a medium pace and work up to sh!tting yourself.
You have no idea at your usage level how wonderful an ERA is to get in rhythm with. Especially one you slaved years to perfect. You are using 20% of the car's dynamic envelope.
Let it wheeze, piss and niggle the details but you're missing the entire other half of the experience. Of course the self build was rewarding. But now whip it and raise your personal bar. You have no idea yet how much more rewarding it is when you press it hard and trust your craftsmanship dynamically.
Like you I was anally obsessed, but always with the vision that I'd pull it's hair out or have it kill me. It didn't and that's the entire other reward - you are that good a builder too. And it will always be as docile as your wife wishes when you're not pressing it.
Two decades from now it will be just as good as this minute-because you're a capable guy who can have perfection and performance.
Here's how I know:

Rant over---pal.

[patrickt]

Or you could just drive over to Little Rock and use the big parking lot out in front of the War Memorial stadium to practice running it around in "figure eights" for a while without worrying about hitting anything. It's right off South Monroe Street -- I don't think that's very far from where you are.

[DanEC]

I'm working on it - I'm working on it! Got to get past the teething problems - fried alternator, broken shock, no charge, out-of-order turn signals and brake lights, leaking brake master. And also get over this terribly respiratory crud I've now had for 4 weeks and a day so far, three doctor appointments, two rounds of anti-biotics and one round of prednisone.

Hey Patrick - I'm impressed you know your way aound Little Rock.

[1795]

Dan,

Go with Chas' advice and drive it. As you said, the exhaust leak can wait until winter. Actually, I was pretty impressed that I could hear the exhaust leak, thought that my hearing was worse than it is There is nothing like the feel of an ERA. Hell, just a quick sprint in the car will probably cure you of that respiratory crud; at 100 mph the wind will create enough suction to draw the crud right out of your lungs!

[DanEC]

[quote=ERA Chas;1314548]Dan
Ya know I love you...
but will you just DRIVE THE DAMNED CAR???
Over 4K RPM. With your undercar system, no one on the street will be scared. Carry RPM in the gears.
[quote]

OK Chas - while out for a leisurely ride through the country lanes this morning I hit 5000 in second gear - better? Keith builds a smooth reving motor - revs as smooth as a small block (not that I've ever owned a small block of anything except a late model Mustang).

Dan

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by DanEC

OK Chas - while out for a leisurely ride through the country lanes this morning I hit 5000 in second gear - better? Keith builds a smooth reving motor - revs as smooth as a small block (not that I've ever owned a small block of anything except a late model Mustang).

Dan

ONLY ONCE???
KC builds a jewel of a motor-USE IT!
I know you want to work up to the car and that's fine. But wasn't that a great feeling going through 5K?
Get out and row through the gears using as much engine as possible with downshifts-stop coasting down to stops. You work up a rhythm much easier that way. And you will grin like a fool.
The car really pays you back that way.
This is not like your mid-year which was an excellent addition to your 401K but no match for this dynamically. This really wants to be driven-hard and skilfully.
You can do this with more peace of mind on track if you'll believe me and are street-worried.
I get the quiet country lanes but I have them here too; they are a thrill to get right at the upper limits. Except coming into my development, I drove it like track laps and avoided traffic.
If you 'get it', Cobras encourage you to be immature well into your 'sunset' years.

[DanEC]

[quote=ERA Chas;1314890]ONLY ONCE???
KC builds a jewel of a motor-USE IT!

Well, I didn't have much time - by the time we got back from our usual Saturday morning, senior citizen discount breakfast at IHOP it was already getting pretty warm and I was getting a little shaky from the meds for the crud I'm still taking.


Get out and row through the gears using as much engine as possible with downshifts-stop coasting down to stops. You work up a rhythm much easier that way. And you will grin like a fool.

Here in Sherwood, we have probably one of the highest cop densities in the US - if they see you grinning like a fool they figure you're up to something. I've even had the distinction of being ticketed in my own driveway a couple years ago which I did not take well.


You can do this with more peace of mind on track if you'll believe me and are street-worried.

Not much track access in Arkansas - I think way over at Memphis is probably the closest - about a 110 miles down the heaviest truck traffic corridor in the US. Few dragstrips about 80 to 90 miles away. But I would probably be thrown off for no roll bar. I pretty much have to get my kicks (such as it be) on county roads and if you know Arkansas, there aren't many that have a straight stretch for long. But keep it going Chas I'm slowly getting there.
QUOTE]

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I pretty much have to get my kicks (such as it be) on county roads and if you know Arkansas, there aren't many that have a straight stretch for long. But keep it going Chas I'm slowly getting there. [/i]
QUOTE]

That's the GOOD part..

-and yes, I will Dan.

[DanEC]

As a followup I ordered a alternator wire boot from Summit and it fits like it was designed for a Ford (I think it's listed for GM alternators). A little shot of WD40 and it slid over the large ring terminal fine and it clamps snugly over the red insulator ring on the alternator. No chance of an accidental short now.