Burning out alternators

BillySS · Aug 15, 2011

I was running fine for years, then I burnt out my 7 month old 140 amp powermaster alt. I put in a 140amp Tuff Stuff it lasts 20 hrs!! 3 Pep boys alternators just to get it running. Nothing changed in 2 years. I have dual 12" electric fans , electric water pump and MSD 6AL-2, along with the usual custom guages. when my fans are off i get 13.5 volts when the fans go on the voltage drops into the 11's. could I have worn out fan motors that are drawing so much power that theyre killing my alternators? there are no shorts in the car, I had everything checked.

slimbo · Aug 16, 2011

check the draw. fan motors will usully draw under 14 amps each depending on brand. if voltage drops into the 11,s thats like the engine is cranking all the time.. it takes 100+ amps of draw to get down into the 11,s

BillySS · Aug 18, 2011

It's mind boggling. I'm running 1 fan now and it seems to be ok but the temp is a lil high. Do you think i need new fans?

slimbo · Aug 18, 2011

could be...if the fan is drawing that much i doubt it turns nicely... you need to check the draw with an amp probe...

BillySS · Oct 5, 2011

Found out that with the powder coating the alternators were not getting proper ground. I had to run wire from alternator to head. Very expensive problem solved.

TURNA · Oct 5, 2011

BillySS said:
Found out that with the powder coating the alternators were not getting proper ground. I had to run wire from alternator to head. Very expensive problem solved.

Sounds good, but the pep boys alts were not powered coated so that ground wire you have may not be the proper solution.

LS6 Tommy · Oct 5, 2011

BillySS said:
Found out that with the powder coating the alternators were not getting proper ground. I had to run wire from alternator to head. Very expensive problem solved.

I was going to say try adding a ground wire to the alternator body & then check your current draw again, but it seems you're ahead of me.

Tommy

melloelky · Oct 5, 2011

that makes sence,my alternator has clear powder coat on it,it has one area thats machined and a tag stating in order for this alternator to work,you must install a ground wire here.wish i saw this thread before coulda helped.glad you got it going.

Search

Search

Burning out alternators

BillySS

Frequent Racer

slimbo

Moderator

BillySS

Frequent Racer

slimbo

Moderator

BillySS

Frequent Racer

TURNA

MalibuRacing Junkie

LS6 Tommy

MalibuRacing Junkie

melloelky

Top Fueler

Similar threads

MalibuRacing.com Gear

Stickers & Shirts!!

Latest posts

Recommended Communities