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

omarECD

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Nov 24, 2002

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Philadelphia, PA

Oct 27, 2004

#1

• Oct 27, 2004

• #1

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

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Oct 27, 2004

#2

• Oct 27, 2004

• #2

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

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Aug 12, 2002

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Melbourne

Oct 27, 2004

#3

• Oct 27, 2004

• #3

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

 

N

notchman90

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Oct 7, 2004

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long isle, ny

Oct 27, 2004

#4

• Oct 27, 2004

• #4

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

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Nov 29, 1999

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Oct 28, 2004

#5

• Oct 28, 2004

• #5

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

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Sep 22, 2004

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Memphis,TN

Oct 28, 2004

#6

• Oct 28, 2004

• #6

14

 

I

Idwitheld-1`

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Nov 30, 2003

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Portland Oregon

Oct 28, 2004

#7

• Oct 28, 2004

• #7

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

I get 14 vdc

 

BlownStangGT

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Jan 22, 2002

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Oct 28, 2004

#8

• Oct 28, 2004

• #8

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

 

U

ucanbeatme

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Aug 19, 2004

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Williamstown, NJ

Oct 29, 2004

#9

• Oct 29, 2004

• #9

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

 

Prime Lord

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Sep 19, 2000

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Oct 29, 2004

#10

• Oct 29, 2004

• #10

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

 

RydeOn

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Sep 26, 2000

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orange county, CA

Oct 29, 2004

#11

• Oct 29, 2004

• #11

jrichker said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

 

bluevenom867

I will have images of molesting stuffed animals in

Dec 15, 2003

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St.Petersburg,FL

Oct 29, 2004

#12

• Oct 29, 2004

• #12

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

 

RydeOn

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Sep 26, 2000

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orange county, CA

Oct 29, 2004

#13

• Oct 29, 2004

• #13

Prime Lord said:

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

Click to expand...

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

 

bluevenom867

I will have images of molesting stuffed animals in

Dec 15, 2003

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St.Petersburg,FL

Oct 29, 2004

#14

• Oct 29, 2004

• #14

RydeOn said:

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

Click to expand...

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