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#97824 10/27/2006 7:38 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 | Alright, so I spent about 40 minutes in archives & I couldn't find what I need so I'm askin'
I located what's been draining my battery-I'm losing about .25 amps through the sensor wire on my alternator with the ignition off. I also get continuity between the sensor terminal and the alternator body (ground). Is this right or is there a problem with the alternator? Could I have the sensor and exciter wires reversed?
Finding this drain was like hunting down a gopher. Now I want to kill it.
Thanks for the help. | | |
#97825 10/27/2006 2:52 PM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | I know, I gave up on finding mine and installed a disconnect switch..
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | |
#97826 10/27/2006 3:25 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | tlorber,
If you search using "diode" you will find your answer. I don't think your alternator would charge if you had #1 and #2 reversed.
#1 is the excite wire and should go to a source which is switched with the key...#2 is your sense wire that looks at system voltage. You might have this attached to the main power lug??
A bad diode will allow the alternator to charge, but will backfeed system voltage when the rig is shut off.
It usually takes a professional auto electric shop to diagnose the alternator.
Stuart | | |
#97827 10/27/2006 11:37 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 | Okay, I think I MAY have figured this out. It seems that 1/2 the write ups I read on the alternator conversion said the exciter lead was terminal #1 and the regulator was #2. The other 1/2 said the opposite. I believe I had a full time hot lead going to my field terminal instead of having ignition wire going to it. I guess if the field is active it will leak current.
So I reversed the two wires. The truck started, it appeared to charge, and it shut off. I did this a few times. I'll let you know if I get stranded somewhere but for now, those of you that have a battery leak and a 3 wire alternator may want to give this a shot. | | |
#97828 10/28/2006 12:49 AM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | tlorber,
Many re-builders (alternator) use only one voltage regulator. This is the self exciting regulator installed in single wire alternators.
If you have a voltmeter, it would be interesting to pull both your wires and see if the alternator really knew the difference.
Stuart | | |
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