Those of you with 130 AMP alternator: How many volts does your dash read?

[omarECD]

Like the title says, those of you with 130 amp alternators, what does the voltmeter on your instrument cluster read? I have an 80 amp alternator and the meter reads 18 when the car is running. I'm wondering if this meter is a good indicator, and if I will be able to run things such as an electric fan with my 80 amp alternator (5 amps more than stock).

Thanks Omar

 

[jrichker]

Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

Here's websites with pictures of the 3G (94 Mustang and later 130 amp alt) installation procedure...

See http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte/Auto/3G_130A_Alternator_Upgrade.htm - all the tech data you could ever want to know
OR
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/alternator.html - excellent pictures of the installation

See these sites for the right way to do the wiring. Some people will tell you that you can skip the wiring upgrade, but it will catch up with you sooner or later. A fire in the wiring harness is ugly and expensive.

Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. If the fuse blows in the 4 gauge wire, the two 10 gauge wires may be overloaded to the point of catching fire and burning up the wiring harness.

See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse = http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=071-952

Fuseholder = http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-630

 

[lxsteed]

I have the 200 amp from PAPerformance, and I'm getting 14V easily at idle with an electric fan, and an E303 Cam.

 

[notchman90]

i have a 150amp and i get about 14v with both fans on and radio. 15 at start up

 

[HISSIN50]

i would get a DMM out and check the battery and alternator. if you are putting out 18 volts, stuff will start to fry (and possibly explode). you might have alt issues (regulation).
i would not drive it like that (dont want to overcharge the battery).

good luck.

 

[wake]

14

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

I wouldn't use the stock meter to judge any condition. You should use a quality independent digital meter.

I get 14 vdc

 

[BlownStangGT]

You need a new alternator! I was driving my car last week, and all of a suddon both my stock volts gauage and altometer volts gauge spike to 18 volts. Pulled the alt. off and went and got it tested it was bad. Alternators will both die of low volts or spike high volts. You should be seeing no more then 14 volts, if you are at 18, something is going to fry soon, you need to get that off and get a new one asap

 

[ucanbeatme]

13.8volts... With a 140amp Powermaster Alt..

 

[Prime Lord]

Anybody who has a mustang should know that the factory guages suck. Hook up an actual meter and get a reading.

 

[RydeOn]

Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. If the fuse blows in the 4 gauge wire, the two 10 gauge wires may be overloaded to the point of catching fire and burning up the wiring harness.

The kit I got from PA performance says to do this, and I trusted them. Why would they reccomend such a thing??

 

[bluevenom867]

I only got ignition and electric fan it reads 16v.

 

[RydeOn]

Anybody who has a mustang should know that the factory guages suck. Hook up an actual meter and get a reading.

Yup. My digital gauge read 14.5v. Anything over 15v and your car is broken.

 

[bluevenom867]

Yup. My digital gauge read 14.5v. Anything over 15v and your car is broken.

I got all msd stuff so my ignition can take it and i got the fan worked so it can run on 16v.