New alternator problems
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
New alternator problems
Help! Just installed a new 185amp DCPower alternator with new cables this past weekend. Before was reading 11.5-12.8 battery volts on the CTS with occasional battery light going down the road. Now, the CTS is reading 15.9 volts and I'm getting the overvoltage error code and all the dash gauges, radio, ac, power windows etc are not working.
Ideas?
Thanks
Ideas?
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
Grounds cleaned when I did the install. I've got the red cable going directly between alternator and battery (with in-line fuse). I went off other pictures with the new DCPower alternator installed.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
Sensing wire? Don't really understand your question. The small connector (2 pin) is connected at the alternator and the new 0 guage waire from DCPower is connected at the alternator and battery. No pigtails off of that wire on either end.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: AB,Can
What did you do with the factory 4 gauge charge wire that comes from the OEM alternator?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
Here's what I've done so far. Talked to the folks at DC. They said that the pigtail harness should be pushing 12.6 volts with Key On. That checked OK. I disconnected the 0 gauge wire from DC and re-hooked up the OEM wire from the Alternator and Battery. Drove home, 13.6-13.8 volts and no problems going home. Called DC on the way home and talked to I believe Owen about my problem. He stated that on the Powerstrokes he has found out that you have to hook up both the OEM and the new 0 gauge wire. Truck seems to be OK in the driveway pushing 13.6 at idle. Haven't driven the truck on the road last couple of days since it's nice so the motorcycle is the commute ride right now. Will try and take the truck into town for supper and a test run.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: AB,Can
Here's what I've done so far. Talked to the folks at DC. They said that the pigtail harness should be pushing 12.6 volts with Key On. That checked OK. I disconnected the 0 gauge wire from DC and re-hooked up the OEM wire from the Alternator and Battery. Drove home, 13.6-13.8 volts and no problems going home. Called DC on the way home and talked to I believe Owen about my problem. He stated that on the Powerstrokes he has found out that you have to hook up both the OEM and the new 0 gauge wire. Truck seems to be OK in the driveway pushing 13.6 at idle. Haven't driven the truck on the road last couple of days since it's nice so the motorcycle is the commute ride right now. Will try and take the truck into town for supper and a test run.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I would be concerned about boiling the batteries if the charge never went below 14 volts unless you have some heavy duty stereo equip. or something.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: AB,Can
It will drop to 13.8 if driving down the highway for any length of time. I do have a stereo system with an amp but I seldom have it turned up loud..... unless it's a sweet day! Most of the driving I do is maybe 30 to 45 minutes worth at a time.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I will vary from 12.8 up to 13.8 once in a while 14. Has done this since new and have never had a problem. Original alt. if your interested.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: AB,Can
Wow! Yours has done well if you are on your first alternator and it's still OEM (that's seven years!). I just replaced my second OEM with the DC unit awhile back. I had gone through an OEM 110 amp alternator under warranty and the last one seemed to always stay at 12.8 to 13.2 volts. As soon as I installed the DC it jumped up to 14.7 and of course came down after driving around for a bit. Happy with it so far.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
Wow! Yours has done well if you are on your first alternator and it's still OEM (that's seven years!). I just replaced my second OEM with the DC unit awhile back. I had gone through an OEM 110 amp alternator under warranty and the last one seemed to always stay at 12.8 to 13.2 volts. As soon as I installed the DC it jumped up to 14.7 and of course came down after driving around for a bit. Happy with it so far.
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