Alternator Conversion Problem
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Warren, MI
Alternator Conversion Problem
I upgraded my alt from a 2G 85 amp'er to a 130 3G.
When I finished the install everything was good, except 1 thing, when ever I go to start it it squeeks for about 1 sec and then stops.
I have no idea why, I think everything hooked up ok, all bolts lined up and I only had to use the "Status/Sensor" wire (little 18G wire). I used a 6G wire from alt to the ign. module.
Thanks for any info.
Adam
When I finished the install everything was good, except 1 thing, when ever I go to start it it squeeks for about 1 sec and then stops.
I have no idea why, I think everything hooked up ok, all bolts lined up and I only had to use the "Status/Sensor" wire (little 18G wire). I used a 6G wire from alt to the ign. module.
Thanks for any info.
Adam
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
I just did the same to mine this weekend, install went just as planned and works perfectly. Sounds like it might be the pulley on the alt if it wasn't doing that before. Have you tried some oil or belt dressing? Where did you get the alt? Did you have to re install the pulley from the old alt?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
For 130 watt your minimum gauge recommended wire size is 4, but 2 wouldent hurt you either, I would start with the larger gauge wire and also make sure your battery(ies) are fully charged also.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Warren, MI
I got a "reman" from Murrays... a Bosch 130 for a 93 or 94 mustang.
The pully was already on there, and also im using a 4G on ,y 130amp alt.
This is really bothering me, because it doesnt do it every time, maybe 2 out of 3 times it will squeek... grrr really aggraviating.
Adam
The pully was already on there, and also im using a 4G on ,y 130amp alt.
This is really bothering me, because it doesnt do it every time, maybe 2 out of 3 times it will squeek... grrr really aggraviating.
Adam
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
I guess I should replace my 8 gauge wire to that of a 4. I was told that 8 gauge was the minimum and that anything else was overkill... As far as that pesky noise goes, dunno what to tell you other than take it off and exchange it for another... thats what I would do if all else failed.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
try a different belt. maybe a gator belt. they are spendy but may work much better, your tension pully might also be worn out causing to not keep the proper tension at startup.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
Tighten the belt, if continues, then check pulley for glazing.
A 6Ga. wire is more than plenty for a 200A. alt.
A 6Ga. wire is more than plenty for a 200A. alt.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
A six gauge wire on a 12v system is only capable of carrying a load of about 75 amps, a 200 amp alternator should have a 1/0 wire to carry that much current. Your always going to want to be on the safe side on your electrical system (see Photos in my gallery of Bronco). You also have the additional loss of a wires abiltiy to carry current under the hood due to the increased temperature, and that loss is actually quite significant.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Warren, MI
First off, thanks for the replys!
Secondly, It really hard to tell if its just a HORRIBLE squeeking belt, because its a really horrid squeek, or the bearings on the alt is smoked. (Come it think of it... i did accidently drop the box before I installed it
whooops!)
But I just put it in the orginal spot, just had to grind away a little bit, and then just rebotled it up.
94F150-408:
A 8G wire would smoke if it had a constant load of over 100A for any mroe than a few mins.. you need at least 4G with 130A and 0G with a 160 or 200amper.
Better to be safe than sorry (BTW im agreeing with you)
Adam
Secondly, It really hard to tell if its just a HORRIBLE squeeking belt, because its a really horrid squeek, or the bearings on the alt is smoked. (Come it think of it... i did accidently drop the box before I installed it
whooops!)But I just put it in the orginal spot, just had to grind away a little bit, and then just rebotled it up.
94F150-408:
A 8G wire would smoke if it had a constant load of over 100A for any mroe than a few mins.. you need at least 4G with 130A and 0G with a 160 or 200amper.
Better to be safe than sorry (BTW im agreeing with you)
Adam
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by AYoungblood
(Come it think of it... i did accidently drop the box before I installed it whooops!)
whooops!)I replaced the 8 gauge with a 4 gauge cable, had trouble with the lug though, it did not want to fit into the red plastic eye holder so I trimmed the lug a little. I crimped and soldered the lug... is the solder going to pose any problems? Should I have just crimped?
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
ok the squeeling is possibly 2 reasons,,,1 a bigger alternator has more windings than the smaller so it takes more to get it turning ,,,2 check your idler tensioner they werent made to handle the turning load of a bigger alternator i suppose there is an aftermarket that does
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
You did the right thing with the crimp and solder, that will give you the best connection.
jomo, the idler tensioner has no idea, nor does it care that you have put on a larger alternator. I run a 225 amp alt with no problems.
jomo, the idler tensioner has no idea, nor does it care that you have put on a larger alternator. I run a 225 amp alt with no problems.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
i beg to differ...
[QUOTE=94F150-408]You did the right thing with the crimp and solder, that will give you the best connection.
anyone who knows anything about physics know that its hard to get more weight moving than less weight therefor a bigger alternator( done by the way of increased windings) will be harder to get turning than a smaller one,,,,,,,therefor a tensioner idler designed for a nominal load of a 65 amp alternator ,along with the other parasites might not be able to"tension" the intitial load of a much bigger alternator
anyone who knows anything about physics know that its hard to get more weight moving than less weight therefor a bigger alternator( done by the way of increased windings) will be harder to get turning than a smaller one,,,,,,,therefor a tensioner idler designed for a nominal load of a 65 amp alternator ,along with the other parasites might not be able to"tension" the intitial load of a much bigger alternator
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
jomo...anyone who uses larger alternators knows that the factory tensioner is far more than adequate if it is in good shape to handle installing larger alternators without having belt slippage , sorry!
I currently have a 225 on my F150 and a 200 amp on my Jeep, I've had 200's and 225's on 4 previous vehicles., have a 200 Balmor on my Boat..I had 2 of the 200 amp alternators on my 95 Bronco and have never had a problem with belt slippage on any vehicle or watercraft, nor has anyone else I know that has installed the large aftermarket alternators.
I currently have a 225 on my F150 and a 200 amp on my Jeep, I've had 200's and 225's on 4 previous vehicles., have a 200 Balmor on my Boat..I had 2 of the 200 amp alternators on my 95 Bronco and have never had a problem with belt slippage on any vehicle or watercraft, nor has anyone else I know that has installed the large aftermarket alternators.
Last edited by 94F150-408; Jun 18, 2004 at 12:49 AM.