cdaniel525

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Just curious what the suggested AMPs are for a new alternator Im going to pick up with my 454 rebuild... Dont have anything crazy, dual batteries, no EFI or MSD box... standard harness AFAIK. Should I replace with standard or something higher??


Also curious if someone could help with some voltage issues Ive had... I think at one point I had an issue with the ignition that I wasnt getting enough voltage and the engine almost stalled out or choked up some... I ran a direct line to the ignition/key switch from the battery and didnt seem to have a problem after that... Also, it seems like my radio wasnt getting enough voltage, turned up too high it would shut down and restart. Did the same thing adding a direct 12v from the battery to the radio and no issue since...
Do I need a new wiring harness or is there is anything else I should be looking into?

Thanks in advance for any advice in both issues!
Chris

cdaniel525

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anyone???

MichiMike

Stock alternator is fine.70-100 amp is average for boats without loud stereos.
If your radio cut out at high volume levels it is a thermal resistance problem usually caused by bad connections.Start with cleaning all connections, check your grounds.Make sure copper cabling is not black (bad)
BTW your blind without a volt meter.

Speedracer29

Start by checking and cleaning all your grounds. Huge alternators and big power wires are futile without ability to form a complete circuit.
Making sure an alternator is ignition protected/USCG compliant is more important than big amperage. If everything is in order and you run 2 batteries and a switch, 60A will suffice.

Jonesyfxr

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A radio is very susceptible to a drop in voltage. If you ran the system for a long time or have poor wiring, the radio will be first to shut down. You might need a complete re wire or at least a complete connection check as stated. Start with your main engine harness, then check all the helm connections. You might be surprised, and remember......grounds are VERY important.

cdaniel525

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Thanks for the replies speedracer and michimike...
Ill start by getting a standard marine alternator, probably save me a couple bucks over a high amp alt anyway....
Ive got the enging out of the boat, so when I cleanup, paint, and re-rig everything, ill check all those connections and cleaning all the grounds to the motor and also up at the helm.
Ive got a volt meter, but not sure how that helps if its got the full 12V till it cuts out?

cdaniel525

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OK... ill do my best with all the checking of connections... if I still have any issues, I may try a re-wire... What would you suggest in all that?? Get a new harness from the round engine connector to the helm, and from there re-wire everything?

Jonesyfxr

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Remember, your alternator is actually putting out upwards of 14 volts. If your gauge reads only 12 ish, you are probably already having wiring issues. I re wired my buddy's helm last year and now his gauge reads 14 and it starts and runs better too.

cdaniel525

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Ya... I know there were times the voltage guage would show barely 12+ volts yet there was not problem running.... but then others it would show much higher like normal 13-14volts

onesickpantera

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FYI, myself and several friends have had good luck with this model:

http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-3609-n...e-adr0334.aspx