brett115 Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 I ordered a 220 amp gm unit to replace my 12si delco unit on a 98 s10 with a small block swap. I have lots of amp draw from the alternator. I recieved it 2 weeks ago and the first 2 days were amazing after getting it fine tuned in I could run my compressors and cooling fan at the same time. well then I went to drive the truck and volts shot up past 16 volts then turned off then back up above 16 and finally died and smoked. I sent it in for warranty and you guys fixed it quickly and got it back to me in time for the show tommorow. Now on to the bad, 5 minutes into reinstalling it stopped charging all together drove home on battery power. I take alternator off and checked things over hoping I missed something. I found nothing and reinstalled the alternator. now its full fielding and shooting over 16 volts no matter what! Its saturday and mondays a holiday. anything we can do to help me out. seems regulator went bad again for some stange reason. I have 12 volts switched going to it and the other side to the back of the output stud and 0 gauge wire I got from you guys for the positive and negative. the only thing I did this time was take off the pulley powder coat it and reinstall. I have done this tons of times on other alternators so I dont see how that could have hurt it in anyway. If you could please give me some insight. My bullet proof alternator isnt brett proof. Thanks, Brett Lillie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunkjuice1 Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Your setup might be totally different from mine but did the alt come with a wire harness that is only two wires that go to the regulator? field red negative black? External regulator needs a relay with from what I used and others say connections in 8g and short as possible with good grounding of the regulator and relay grounds. I'm new to the external regulator setup myself and from the bit of talking with Josh over at MM the relay needs to be on a switched ignition source, in my case I have a voltage meter in dash that I use a actual switch to turn it off and on so thats where I used 12g speaker wire to the relays turn on point. Always charge the batteries prior to installing a alt, on the POT turn it all the way counter clockwise at start up turn your brights and AC on to create a load and rev the RPM's up a bit then while thats going on set the voltage to say 15.1 cold start if you are using AGM batteries. Good luck hope I helped some what as I said I might be way off but these are things to look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett115 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 I dont have an external regulator just a normal 2 wire going to alt. one switched 12volt and the other a sensing wire. The sensing wire goes right to to the output stud and switched comes from another source somewhere in the igntion. I had a really cheap high output alternator for 2 years yes it didnt keep voltage well but i can say I never had an issue with it and i beat the shit out of it. Seems weird I cant get this unit to work right when it seems to far more quailty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunkjuice1 Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Sorry to hear this but it seems as a on issue most likely you will have to send the unit back again after getting the ok from them. sucks to hear that but try to go over the whole install with Josh over the phone and explain whats going on then you can take the next step in fixing this once and for all. You may feel like your walking in circles but I'm pretty sure you will get it resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett115 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 yes and luckily these guys are awesome and helpful. i still havent given up hope. the damn thing works so well at first so i know the wiring is correct. Wish they were closer id just drive the alt to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett115 Posted September 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 I swapped the regulator out for a known good one and bam the thing works perfect. im just going to leave it alone for now and if an issue happens again then ill send it in. not going though the hassle if its working just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knowledge Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 damn that suck man i had a similar problem and it was the ground. hope u get it fixed man Quote REFF'SMy linkEBAYhttp://feedback.ebay...ck&myworld=trueI love car audio so much because I will never be done. I can never win, and I will never get it finished or perfect. It always has me coming back for more, I can never get my fill of it, but I get what I need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunkjuice1 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Can you tell us some info on the regulator thats working out? Its sucks to have things like this happen but every little bit of info one can have is always a plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett115 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Just a factory regulator from the ford dealer. All has been going great now with my alternator so im not to worried about it. One a side note I dont want the truck down anymore than I have to so mechman is willing to ship me a new regulator without charge after were sure it isnt my wiring causing the issue. I must say they are a badass company, I never blaim when stuff like this happens cause too many variables and anyone looking for an alternator look no further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett115 Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Just wanted to update everyone on my alternator. I have been using it since i put on the new regulator and its been flawless. whatever the issue i had is gone. This alternator has been badass and puts out a ton of amps. I cant seem to find a accurate voltmeter gauge for the truck but non the less the alternator has been perfect. thanks mechman for the help and working with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.