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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

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    5/10/2023 12:46 AM  #1

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,431

    Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    What function does a alternator serve other than charging the battery.
    lets say it was not charging and you jump the battery off and crank it....as the battery dies would engine spark die too.
    I have the petronix distributor with the Ignitor III and the Petronix Flame thhrower III coil and  my builder had hooked my 1 wire 100 amp altnator up like the factor 3 wire and it was not charging and runs like crap. He called me and said your altnator is not charging .....I had forgot to tell him I had laid the 1 wire altnator in there off my wrecked car. My new  car had a regular 3 wires set up so he was just swapping this one in not knowing it was any differnt so I am hoping when he rewires the it like it needs to be as a 1 wire it will work right......would that have made it run bad. I would figure it would not get much fire just running off the battery not much spark.

    Last edited by BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA (5/10/2023 2:53 PM)

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
     

    5/10/2023 4:13 AM  #2

    RTM
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Cape Coral FL
    Registered: 5/22/2019
    Posts: 1,693

    Re: Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    I can’t help much and I can not recall if your setup needs 12V to the coil or not.  I do know if the battery is running low and not charging it will affect how it runs.  I’m sure someone with more knowledge will chime in.

     

    5/10/2023 6:43 AM  #3

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,625

    Re: Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    The alternator provides power to recharge the battery and maintain the proper voltage necessary to operate the engine and accessories of the running vehicle.  The normal battery voltage is about 12.6vDC (car not running).  With the car running the voltage should be somewhere between like 13.2 to 14.8vDC.
    Suggest buying an inexpensive digital voltmeter (like $10-12) available at Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc. and checking the non-running, vs. running voltage.  You should see a difference between the two conditions, and the voltages should be about as indicated above.  If the non-running voltage is below 11v, the battery is ‘weak’, and may not start the car.  If there is no voltage change between the two readings, the alternator is not working.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    5/10/2023 2:26 PM  #4

    Rufus68
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
    Posts: 879

    Re: Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA wrote:

    What function does a alternator serve other than charging the battery.
    lets say it was not charging and you jump the battery off and crank it....as the battery dies would engine spark die too.

    If the alternator is not working, then yes once the battery voltage drops too low the car will stop.  Depending on how much draw is on the battery (such as lights, electric fans, electric fuel pump, amplifier, etc) it could die fairly quickly.

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    5/10/2023 2:43 PM  #5

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,431

    Re: Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    I was wondering how it effects like the coil and distributor without a alternator putting out..

    I did not realize my other post posted it is similar sorry

    Last edited by BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA (5/10/2023 2:52 PM)

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
       •Thread Starter
     

    5/12/2023 6:15 AM  #6

    BobE
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,625

    Re: Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    If the alternator is not working, and the battery voltage drops below 9v, the ignition coil, as well as most accessories will not work properly.  The radio may be the easiest item to find isn’t working correctly, just turn it on.  The headlights are a big draw and they will be quite dim at low voltages.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    5/12/2023 3:13 PM  #7

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,431

    Re: Help Alternator question DOUBLE POST SORRY

    Yep I had noticed the lights being dim.

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
       •Thread Starter
     

     

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