Easiest Alternator Solution.

Garage Hound

Frequent Racer
Jun 22, 2005
512
0
0
Independence, MO
Okay, so I can't afford to race the Malibu any more and I can't sell it. Seems like the next best thing is to make it "semi" street legal again while gaining some drivability. Since this car was a fully trailered race car, there is no stock wiring left. I run full electric (no belts) on WP, FP and fan. I have converted the fuel pump back to manual and now I am ready to attack the alternator. I use a barrier strip running off the starter to create a couple of rows of "hot" terminals which power my switch panel. I used an Optima battery and charged it at the track between race. My question is:

If I want to add an alternator, what type should I buy and how should I best wire it up?

Seems like I remember that alternators run all the electrics now, leaving the battery for cranking purposes only. I don't believe these systems were always like this (battery ran the electrics and the alternator charged the battery once upon a time?), but I don't know for sure.

Anyway, your advice, as always, is welcome and appreciated.
 

Ed Cannon

Pro Stocker
Jul 17, 2009
1,682
0
0
Johnson City Tn
Old gm 10si 1 wire.
 

Garage Hound

Frequent Racer
Thread starter
Jun 22, 2005
512
0
0
Independence, MO
grizwald said:
i got a cs style 1 wire alternator. one wire to the battery, and that's it.

1 wire to the battery......I like that. I guess the 1-wire version has a built-in voltage regulator? Also, what is "cs style"?
 

grizwald

Top Fueler
Feb 21, 2008
3,300
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36
Ontario, Canada
i'm no alternator expert, but if i recall what i was told when i was alternator shopping, the cs style alternators put out the same power regardless of rpm.
 

Garage Hound

Frequent Racer
Thread starter
Jun 22, 2005
512
0
0
Independence, MO
grizwald said:
i'm no alternator expert, but if i recall what i was told when i was alternator shopping, the cs style alternators put out the same power regardless of rpm.

Awesome. Thanks for the info!!
 

gbodystuff

Amateur Racer
Mar 30, 2009
260
0
0
Iowa
However, keep in mind that if the alternator is putting out a lot of amperage and you aren't using it-it goes into building heat (and excessive resistance)within the wiring...which means now the alternator is going to run hotter...this is a viscious cycle where eventually the alternator will die prematurely...if this car sees a lot of street driving at low speeds, it's something to think about.
 

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