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Alternator question
Okay, so Dr. Kuo and I looked at the SVX after getting it back form AWD Tuning and we think the reason it keeps dying is that the alternator isn't spinning enough to keep it charged. It seems with this smaller pulley (9psi pulley for the supercharger) that unless the car is at 2000 rpms it puts a drain on the battery instead of charging it.
I got my alternator rebuilt from Maniac Motors and got the high output version but i think that just increases the AMPs but not the voltage amount so my question is does anyone one know if it is possible to adjust the amount of voltage at a specific rotation for the alternator? I assume Manaic could do that by using a different regulator but I wasn't sure. Any thoughts? |
Re: Alternator question
First thing to do is get a multi-meter and measure between the alternator output post and a ground on the body. Or if that's difficult to get to measure between the clamps on the battery. voltage should read around 14v and even at idle should be above 12-13. if not then your alternator is no good and need to be replaced, if yes then the battery is shot and need to be replaced.
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Re: Alternator question
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“Thoughts” will not help. unless these are based on facts. Measure the voltage directly at the battery while running the engine and gradually reducing engine speed. Only at a point where the voltage falls below say 12.5 volts, can you assume that the alternator has completely stopped charging. In any event, provided that overall the battery remains fully charged, how can the lack of alternator output at low engine RPM, cause your engine to “keep dying”? --- . |
Re: Alternator question
Kuo and I checked the car last night and before starting we got 12.7v. When i started the car up and let it settle into an idle it dropped to 12.1 then after a few minutes it dropped further to 11.9 so i turned it back off, and that was with everything in the car off (radio, lights, everything).
We pulled off the alternator and I took it back to Maniac Motors on they tested it and found that the regulator was bad. They were able to repair it while I was there so i'll put it back on tonight and see if it works. In the mean time, I've already gotten a new battery, so let's hope this resolves it. |
Re: Alternator question
Another "SVX team" success story!
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Re: Alternator question
How did they repair the regulator? Thought they were out. Christian still has our back. Glad it all worked out
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Re: Alternator question
Was it replaced under warranty or did they charge?
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Re: Alternator question
Knowing Christian and Maniac Motors, I think it was done for free.
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Re: Alternator question
The guy that was working there in Christians place said they had some regulators back in stock so they cracked it open, replaced it and gave it back to me in about 20 minutes. They didn't charge me since I purchased the lifetime warranty on the unit. However, when I took it to them last year after having a problem with it, she did charge me to have it rebuilt again. She offered me the lifetime warranty for $100 though so I paid the extra so in case I had this issue again. I'm glad I did.
I got it installed last night and its back up to charging at 14v and seems to be just fine again. I'm going to put the larger pulley on shortly just to be on the safe side. I am concerned that this smaller pulley is contributing to it burning out since it's not spinning the alternator enough. I'll let you know how that goes. |
Re: Alternator question
Quote:
Presumably you are referring to the crankshaft pulley. A larger pulley on the alternator will reduce its speed in RPM. Increasing the alternator RPM will be mechanically detrimental and will offer no electrical advantage, provided that charging is adequate at low engine speeds. Therefore leave as is. In point of fact increasing the alternator speed will increase the prospect of it becoming damaged, i.e. both electrically, and in particular, mechanically. Abnormal RPM will result in an increased and an abnormal output which must then be offset by the regulator, which if anything, is then more likely to “burn out”. |
Re: Alternator question
I would not consider changing either pulley. It works perfect already. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. LOL.
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Re: Alternator question
Well, the 9psi pulley that is on there right now is 4" in diameter. The alternator pulley is 2.5" so for every turn of the crank the alternator is only spinning 1.7 times. I discussed this with Christian and she is concerned that is not enough (or extremely close to the minimum needed) and while it does work currently she thinks that the lack of rotation will burn out the regulator quickly.
The 12psi pulley is 6.5" in diameter and would spin the alternator 2.6 times for ever turn of the crank which she thinks would be more tolerable for the life of the regulator. |
Re: Alternator question
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Re: Alternator question
The Supercharger kit came with a new crank pulley(s). The SC is too close to the hood of the car to put a different size pulley on it, so instead he handled it by changing the size of the crank pulley, which as you said, also drives the alternator. The sizes i gave were for the crank pulley, not the supercharger pulley.
https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net...96008013_o.jpg |
Re: Alternator question
That's a really nice set-up. Where did the alternator end up? Did you leave it low mounted or remove the AC compressor?
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