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09-01-2005, 03:20 PM | #1 |
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
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amperage question
I have a Powermaster 130 amp alt with underdrive pulleys. I'm only generating 12.5 volts @ idle.
Has anyone upgraded the gauge of the supply wire from the alt to the battery? Any other tips would be appreciated. If I have to, I'm putting the original crank pulley back on. I've got gobs of power anyway. thanks
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1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy |
09-02-2005, 03:26 AM | #2 |
Domestic Rice really sucks!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: KY
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Re: amperage question
What is it charging when you run it near 1500 rpm? I think that's pretty good at idle considering the underdrive pulleys. If it was a stock fox alternator you'd be in trouble, lol. What gauge is the supply wire going to the battery?
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09-02-2005, 08:39 AM | #3 |
Gimme a Drink!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 694
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Re: amperage question
i have a PaPerformance 130amp alt w/ March 1000 underdrives. i charge at about 13.5 volts at idle, thats according to my autometer gauges which draws its reading from my ignition switch. I assume if i connected a voltmeter to the battery it might read even higher. at idle w/ the lights on and a/c, the gauge will read around 12.5 volts. i did upgrade the wire from alt to starter relay to 4 gauge as it was recommended by PaPerformance. I also upgraded my battery cables and starter power wires to 4 gauge.
i would try to upgrade your alt wire to starter relay, i doubt the factory wire is large enough to make use of all the power the alt is producing. if you want more juice, change the size of the alt pulley and i would leave the underdrive crank pulley alone.
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1990 GT,stock T-5,K&N w/o air silencer,March underdrives,FMS wires,timing@14*,PA Perf 130amp alt,Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter,Steeda adj quadrant/clutch cable/firewall adj,Centerforce II clutch,o/r x-pipe,Magnaflow SS catback,g-load brace, subframes,Bilstein struts/shocks,Autometer gauges, 136k and running strong! |
09-02-2005, 01:50 PM | #4 |
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Re: amperage question
Thanks for the advice.
It looks like 8 gauge wire is coming from the alternator. I'm going to upgrade everything to 4 gauge. Right now, it's only putting out 12.7 at 1500 rpm on the fluke meter. If that doesn't do it, I'll go to a smaller pulley too. thanks again, I'll post results later.
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1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy |
09-04-2005, 08:03 AM | #5 |
Domestic Rice really sucks!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: KY
Posts: 973
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Re: amperage question
I'd get a 2 gauge positive cable.
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09-04-2005, 12:43 PM | #6 |
Import Slayer
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 2,241
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Re: amperage question
4 gauge is plenty, which is what I've been using for years now.
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'82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator. |
09-05-2005, 05:31 PM | #7 |
Rat Killer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Cold ass Ohio
Posts: 1,143
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Re: amperage question
Sit back and read. What you all say is TRUE..... to an extent.
Everything you wanted to know about Alternators, but were afraid to ask.
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d-Con Racing "Nothing fancy, just 347 inches of RAT POISON!" MICE need not apply..... |
09-05-2005, 08:25 PM | #8 |
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Location: Oviedo, FL
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Re: amperage question
Jester,
Good read, lots of information. Thanks,
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"Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic |
09-05-2005, 08:36 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 706
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Re: amperage question
that's a great article. seems like there's more electrical work to be done now.
I just read how the powermaster doesn't like to spin more than 20k rpm..I'm not sure mounting a smaller pulley is the only thing to do after upgrading to 6 gauge. going to look into this relay thing some more...thanks again
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1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy |
09-06-2005, 07:59 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Saint Louis, MO
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Re: amperage question
Tried to give you a wire size vs amp rating for under the hood but the image problem is still here - doesn't recognize jpg as a "valid" file - even though it is.......
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Tom (Torque) Moss 88Gt 5spd Vert, FLowmaster Catbacks, stock cam advanced 4° @ 108.5° ICL, NMRA prepped GT40P heads 1.85/1.55 valves and 1.7 rockers, MAC P headers Jet-Hot coated, 97 Exlporer intake (ported lower), TB and injectors. 277RWHP/330RWTQ (SAE). http://www.fastlanecars.com/ |
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