Troubleshooting alternators
From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The function of an alternator is to keep the battery(s) in your vehicle charged. In order to troubleshoot the functionality of the alternator you will need some basic electrical tools. A good digital Volt/OHM meter is the bare minimum. When the vehicle is running with a fully charged battery you should read between 13.6 and 14.2 volts at the battery. This is the basic test to see if an alternator is working at all. Before performing the above test make sure the alternator drive belt is tight. If the voltage is within spec the next this to test is to see how much current it is capable of delivering. Most alternators will have the rated current capacity stamped on the case somewhere. | + | The function of an alternator is to keep the battery(s) in your vehicle charged. In order to troubleshoot the functionality of the alternator you will need some basic electrical tools. A good digital Volt/OHM meter is the bare minimum. When the vehicle is running with a fully charged battery you should read between 13.6 and 14.2 volts at the battery. This is the basic test to see if an alternator is working at all. Before performing the above test make sure the alternator drive belt is tight. If the voltage is within spec the next this to test is to see how much current it is capable of delivering. Most alternators will have the rated current capacity stamped on the case somewhere. If you have the time for the read, here is an excellent source of information that describes the alternator and the wiring setup that is available in most vehicles and hot rods built today. LINK to : [[Media:http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Wiring/Part2/]] |
==Testing== | ==Testing== | ||
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<p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''12'''</span></font></p> | <p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''12'''</span></font></p> | ||
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<p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''4'''</span></font></p> | <p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''4'''</span></font></p> | ||
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<p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''2'''</span></font></p> | <p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''2'''</span></font></p> | ||
| − | </td> | + | </td> <p style="text-align:center" align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif " size="2"><span style="font-size:8.5pt">'''2'''</span></font></p> |
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The pulley ratio is the diameter of the crankshaft pulley divided by the diameter of the alternator pulley. | The pulley ratio is the diameter of the crankshaft pulley divided by the diameter of the alternator pulley. | ||
*a 6" crankshaft pulley and a 2" alternator pulley equals a pulley ratio of '''3:1''' | *a 6" crankshaft pulley and a 2" alternator pulley equals a pulley ratio of '''3:1''' | ||
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The general rule of thumb is the alternator ratio should be about 3:1 for the best all around performance. However, in cases where the engine will see high RPM, the alternator (as well as other belt/engine driven accessories) might need to be driven at a reduced ratio by using a larger diameter accessory pulley (or a smaller diameter crankshaft pulley) to lower the peak RPM. This ratio reduction needs to be balanced between low and high engine rpm operation if the vehicle will be used on the street. | The general rule of thumb is the alternator ratio should be about 3:1 for the best all around performance. However, in cases where the engine will see high RPM, the alternator (as well as other belt/engine driven accessories) might need to be driven at a reduced ratio by using a larger diameter accessory pulley (or a smaller diameter crankshaft pulley) to lower the peak RPM. This ratio reduction needs to be balanced between low and high engine rpm operation if the vehicle will be used on the street. | ||
| − | + | "font-size: medium;">7.0"</span></strong></td> | |
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">7.5"</span></strong></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">7.5"</span></strong></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">8.0"</span></strong></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">8.0"</span></strong></td> | ||
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.63</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.63</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.76</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.76</span></td> | ||
| − | < | + | <t3"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">2.2"</span></strong></td> |
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.27</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.27</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.39</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.39</span></td> | ||
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.19</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.19</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.29</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.29</span></td> | ||
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.81</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.81</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.92</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.92</span></td> | ||
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.67</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.67</span></td> | ||
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| − | < | + | <t center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.54</span></td> |
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.62</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.62</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.69</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.69</span></td> | ||
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.44</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.44</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.50</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.50</span></td> | ||
| − | < | + | <tcenter"><span style="font-size: small;">1.69</span></td> |
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<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.75</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.75</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.88</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">1.88</span></td> | ||
<td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.00</span></td> | <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size: small;">2.00</span></td> | ||
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==Resources== | ==Resources== | ||
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| − | + | == Diagrams == | |
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| − | [[ | + | [[Media:DR-10SI.pdf]] |
| − | [[ | + | [[Media:DR-12SI.pdf]] |
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| − | + | * | |
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