Alternator Help

[Torxhead]

Have a neighbor with a hot rod '56 Ford truck purchase a 150 amp alternator from Jegs and has issues with charging at idle. It was purchased to help the aftermarket air conditioner run and still keep the alternator charging. The specs say it begins the charge at around 880 rpm, it is also a one wire type hooked directly to the battery, I guess hot rodders don't like a lot of wires under the hood. I am thinking it is a reworked GM 12si alternator. From what I understand it is required to burp the throttle to get it charging. I am going to try and convince him to run the alternator charge wire to a junction box with wires from there returning to the battery and other major amp draw connections. I got this plan from looking at a web page(MadElectrical.com - Electrical Tech) which is about alternators. I am looking for other suggestions on how to best wire this monster up. It is already mounted in the truck.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Take it and have it tested before going any farther.
Let's make sure it's NOT the altenator.....

LG

 

[Torxhead]

Thanks Lumpy, went over to work on it tonight and he is happy with it the way it is. To compound the matter it has an amp gauge that will read up to only 12 amps and a #4 wire as the charging wire with no fuse, breaker, or fusible link. Go figure

 

[gert]

Thanks Lumpy, went over to work on it tonight and he is happy with it the way it is. To compound the matter it has an amp gauge that will read up to only 12 amps and a #4 wire as the charging wire with no fuse, breaker, or fusible link. Go figure

wow thats alot of alternator, i would think straight to the battery or junction box would be best, surprised that amp gauge hasn't fried yet

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Thanks Lumpy, went over to work on it tonight and he is happy with it the way it is.

Tell him-The way it is, ain't 'rite'!
LG

 

[Torxhead]

wow thats alot of alternator, i would think straight to the battery or junction box would be best, surprised that amp gauge hasn't fried yet

I would think if the battery got low enough it could fry that gauge, a voltmeter would be better. I think the junction box is the way to go. here is the advertisement for that alternator:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRWqIJVdMg

 

[Torxhead]

Tell him-The way it is, ain't 'rite'!
LG

I would rather let the guy find out on his own. The info that I have been picking up on alternators in the meantime is fascinating.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Take that amp gauge out of the circuit, and see what happens.
If he thinks all is OK-Tell'em to drive around in stop & go traffic, with the lights on and see how long it keeps running.
LG

 

[Torxhead]

Yeah, that I will do. The a/c I think is the big draw.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Yes it is-Have him drive around with lights and AC on for several miles.
Also, how old is this battery?
LG

 

[gert]

I would think if the battery got low enough it could fry that gauge, a voltmeter would be better. I think the junction box is the way to go. here is the advertisement for that alternator:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRWqIJVdMg

Yummy chrome my favorite color lol


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[gert]

Grr

 

[Torxhead]

Yes it is-Have him drive around with lights and AC on for several miles.
Also, how old is this battery?
LG

The battery is a new Optima, that is the one thing he listened to me suggest. Of course that will help the vehicle run when at idle. The cables are 2/0.