power problem questions/ ideas

[goldhunter_2]

I learned quit a few lessons during this ride for example
1) I defiantly want mags instead of a distributor
2) never assume your following the right group :lol:
3) a mechanical fuel pump will be o my next engine
4) always keep cowboys number in my phone :lol: :lol:


since my fuel pump is elec when I run out of power I also run out of fuel who would have guessed apparently I was not getting power so today I took off the altenater and had it checked it passed :? alternator so I don't see any problems with the wires and I have power at the gage fuse box , all fuses are good and the fuse at the alt is good . if I charge the battery engine starts right up an runs but if you run the lights an draw down the power it dies.

If the battery, alt , wires, fuses are good what else should I look at :?:

 

[Johnboy]

You might want to check your ammeter guage. It's usually in series in the charging circuit so if it's defective your battery won't be getting charged.

 

[goldhunter_2]

when the have the engine running I had power on both terminals so I assumed it was ok just the needle stay at "0" but I guess I could go pick a new one up and try that

 

[Des Moines Boater]

Goldhunter, you could go for a voltmeter instead to the ammeter. That way even if the gauge is defective, the battery will still charge. Do you have the one wire self exciting alternator?

 

[Ruagatr]

I run an Ammeter since it will tell you if the alternator is going bad or something else is wrong. the voltmeter usually tells you its broken when you already know....I agree the ammeter is more dangerous since it runs a heavy amperage conductor to the electrical circuit.

 

[cowboy]

All the above is very good advice.
Very good indeed.

Hey Gold,
The way your alt is driven off that small pulley on the accessory case, it may not be turning fast enough.
The pulley sizes you have look like about a 1 to 1 ratio. I don't know how fast that charging drive pulley turns, but it may not be fast enough.
Mark the pto pulley.
Turn the engine over by hand one revolution.
Make note of how many times the pto pulley turns, per one revolution of the prop.
1/2 turn?
1 full turn?
this will help ya tell the alternator man how fast the drive pulley turns at say 2k rpm's

Take it to a real alternator shop, and see what they say about the whole charging system.
On it's best night, it may never be able to keep up with the lighting loads, and full time electric fuel pump. Even if you ran wide open all night, it may still be turning too darned slow.

I just don't know enough about all that to help ya.
I think you need a real alternator man on this one, cause your old-timey charging set-up is unusual.

 

[dblj006]

Most alternators today have high rpm cut in regulators. You will probably just have to have a low bleed regulator installed. With the the high rpm type the alt will charge and work fine AFTER the initial cut-in, but it will never energize in your application. Just tell the Alt shop you want a low cut in reg installed. Shouldn't cost to much.

Good luck