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| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 118 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 118 | My alternator went bad on my truck. Can I safely put a 55 amp on it. I think the origanals are 35. I haven't updated the wiring yet. will I see a difference. its a 61 that someone half a**ed an alternator conversion on and im trying to limp it through until I can afford a new harness | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | Any alternator will only put out what your system calls for up to it's maximum. You could put a 100 amp on it and if the max your system calls for is 35 that's all it'll put out. The short answer is you should be OK with a 55. I have a 60 amp on my stock 38 and have had no issues in two years.
Last edited by Tiny; 09/11/2010 7:54 PM.
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | The higher amp will work but make sure the main power wire going to it is big enough to handle it. Make sure the belt is good & tight. I wouldn't go over 65 amps on a 6 cyl. as the belt contact area is small.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 118 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 118 | I put a new altenator on and thats not the problem. When I check at the altertator im getting 6-8 volts which is the same as I was getting on the old one. Thats why I thought it was bad. when I get the engine up about 2000rpms the generator light goes off but as high as I could get the wife to rev it while I was checking at the battery I still only got 12v. Its kind of hard to get a good conection checking in the altertator plug and when I took the plug off and checked on the prongs I got nothing. Im assuming thats because it wasn't drawing any power. Do I have a wiring problem or a is my regulator bad? as I said before the wiring to the alternator is a rats nest. If I get a new engine harness can I get one for a 62 or 63 so it is set up for the alternator already? the truck is a 61 283 | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,749 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,749 | Nate, which terminal are you checking when you get the 6-8 volt reading? If it's the big terminal on the back of the alternator, you've got a dirty connection somewhere between the battery and the alternator. That one should read the exact same voltage as at the battery posts, if you're hooked up correctly. Is there an ammeter in the dash, and does it work? With that much voltage drop, there has to be a loose or dirty connection for the main charging lead somewhere.
Jerry
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