3 Door Low Voltage - New Alternator Needed?
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3 Door Low Voltage - New Alternator Needed?
When driving the car voltage is usually around 13 (on ford racing gauge), but when the fans kick in this momentarily drops to 11ish, then back up to just about 12.
However if its dark and I have lights on it is around 12 anyway and drops really low when the fans kick in, especially if I have stereo on as well. Having dipped beams and fogs on really seems to drop the voltage.
It may just be cossie paranoia but is this normal?
Does it sound like the alternator needs replacing? Battery has no problem holding charge, even if the car is not driven for a couple of weeks. Alternator belts were replaced by Reyland about a month ago.
However if its dark and I have lights on it is around 12 anyway and drops really low when the fans kick in, especially if I have stereo on as well. Having dipped beams and fogs on really seems to drop the voltage.
It may just be cossie paranoia but is this normal?
Does it sound like the alternator needs replacing? Battery has no problem holding charge, even if the car is not driven for a couple of weeks. Alternator belts were replaced by Reyland about a month ago.
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fit a 90 amp alternator from a 4x4 or some other fords (grannys?) and beef up the cable from the battery to the alternator as well.
Whats your gauge feed wired up to?
Whats your gauge feed wired up to?
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I've no idea on the feed wire: gauge was fitted when I bought the car. However I don't think its far wrong as the lights dim when the fan kicks in so something is struggling.
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well anything the light will dim when anything that draws alot of current comes on, they shouldn't stay dim though, if they do it could be your votlage regulator maybe?
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I just don't like driving round with only JUST 12 volts, would like to improve it.
I'll look into a thicker cable, any idea on the price of an uprated alternator?
#6
The thing to remember about alternators is they only put out CONTINUOUSLY around 1/3 - 1/2 of the rated power, if you have big boom boom stereo this is amazingly power hungry.
If you just have all normal stuff it sounds as though the brushes may be worn, a std recon alt will do the job at around Ł45-Ł55, it will have new regulator/rectifier as well.
tabetha
If you just have all normal stuff it sounds as though the brushes may be worn, a std recon alt will do the job at around Ł45-Ł55, it will have new regulator/rectifier as well.
tabetha
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Its an aftermarket headunit and a pair of 6x9's so nothing OTT. I like the sound of the engine as well so if the stereo is on its usually quiet anyway!
Cheers for the advice fellas.
Cheers for the advice fellas.
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