I purchased a 160 amp high output alternator in january, when i first installed it the voltage would decrease big time when it was idling at a stop and sometimes would stall out. I sent it back, the company said that the alternator works fine but they sent me a smaller pulley for the alternator. Now i am still having the same problem but it's not as bad. The voltage will decrease down to about 12-10 volts when i'm idling at a complete stop. But if i hold the gas pedal and raise the RPMs by about 100 from idling it will go back up to 14 volts. I put a smaller belt on to compinsate for the smaller pulley and I upgraded the power wire from the alternator to the battery to 4 gauge. Sould i upgrade the ground wire from the battery to the body??? Please help, the company isn't really helping me.
Yes, upgrade the chassis wire to 1/0 gauge. I would reccomend using the same size for the alternator to battery wire.
Paul
Whoa that sounds like the exact problem I'm having with a HO alt that I got from MrAlternator.com.
Whenever I sit at idle long enough the voltmeter in the car starts making its "not-enough-power-beep" and the battery light will come on.. this is with no load whatsoever on the charging system... it really sucks cuz whenever i come to a stoplight my sub-amp will cut out within a few seconds... =(
Same deal tho.. the *smallest* increase in engine speed will send the alt straight back to 14 volts.
Definately upgrade ur chassis wire... I found a cap helped a great deal but I'm sure that will set off a stupid firestorm around here.