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Joined: Mar 2003
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33 |
Last year I installed a 6 volt alternator on my 37. It was a great improvement, lights are always bright, it even charges at idle with the headlights and heater on. I installed a shunt behind the ammeter to protect it from the greater output of the alternator. When first installed, after starting the car, the ammeter would show a full charge and within minutes come down to just above the zero mark. After running the car for 15 minutes or so the ammeter would read 0. Recently no matter how long I drive the car the ammeter never goes to the 0 mark, it shows a full charge after starting, as always, after several minutes it begins to drop but never goes to 0 as before. It always shows a slight charge. The only other thing I have changed is the positive battery cable, which I replaced with a 0/2 gauge cable. I have asked several people who said that their car always shows a slight charge no matter how long it is driven. Is this normal? Could I be having battery trouble? The battery is 2 years old and seems to work fine.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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ChatMaster - 10,000
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ChatMaster - 10,000
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probably has to do with the battery condition.
Life's a long winding trail, love Jesus and ride a good horse!
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Joined: Jan 2002
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ChatMaster - 750
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ChatMaster - 750
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The charging current (amps) may be more than indicated by the meter if a shunt (parallel resistance) divides the current.
If you have old Chevrolets, other old Chevrolets will find out where you live.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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If the alternator shows a constant charge on the amp meter after what would be a normal time to recharge the battery, I would suspect the regulator/alternator. Is your alternator a single wire type or multiple wire? If single wire the regulator is built into the alternator. If a multiple wire job you have an external regulator and may also have wiring problems. 
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33 |
The alternator is a single wire type, internally regulated. As I said it does seem to regulate however it never gets done charging as it once did. I did have low battery water at one time several months ago caused by a faulty Battery Tender. Could that have caused some damage to the battery?
As I said the battery spins the engine quite fast even when hot, and is capalbe of strating the car even with the headlights on.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Actually, everything may be in order. The shunt on the amp meter should be removed. This would give you an accurate charging rate. I would check the water in the battery very carefully and see what happens. Do you know the maximum capacity of the alternator?
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Posts: 33 |
I believe it is 40 amps. Do you think I really need the shunt. The ammeter goes to 20 amps.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33 |
How does everyone's ammeter read after driving for some time? Sometimes I get anal about things and should just enjoy the car and not be so concerned I guess.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Who told you to use the shunt? Was it a requirement of the alternator builder? I would venture there would be very few and far between occasions that it would be producing the full 40 amps.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 33
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Posts: 33 |
The guy who built the alternator never mentoned a shunt, I read it somewhere and made one, thinking that if the alternator did put out over 20 amps at some point, it might burn out the ammeter. Don't think I should have it on there? It's easy to remove, I made it from 12" of 10 gauge wire and alligator clips.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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