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Altenator Upgrade Question

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Stinky

Stinky

Jedi Trainee
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Say I upgrade the Altenator in my 71' TR6 to a 60 amp. Will my original Amp guage in the dash be ok? Or will it need to be reworked, or replaced to work with the 60 amp altenator?
 
The answer is depends... if you simply just replace the alternator without changing anything then yes, your ammeter will work normally... however, at full tilt the 60 alternator can turn the factory wiring, and potentially your car, into a pile a sludge. This gives you two choices. Rewire the entire charging system, or add an additional wire going from the charging lead on the alternator to the positive battery terminal on the starter. I did the latter.

Unfortunately adding that second lead does affect the ammeter. Now it only reads discharge so I have no idea that the alternator is even working unless I use a hand-held voltmeter. My solution is to "upgrade" to a voltmeter from a 73+ car. Although I haven't done the changeover yet, I think in theory the switch should be pretty easy since all the voltmeter needs is a power source and a ground.

I could be way off here.. but it sounds like a good idea. Although your mileage may vary.

-Shannon
 
Stinky, a question and a statement: first, why bother?, then, if you must, check out Dan Masters' book on Triumph electricals. It is like a bible on wiring. I think he can be reached at danmas@aol.com. Best 18.6148 quid you will ever spend.



Bill
 
I'm thinking about going to an electric fan on the radiator,...that's the main reason for considering the altenator upgrade. Also installed Silver Star Headlights which eat more juice.
Where can I order that electrical manual?
 
Tom, Dan Masters goes into electric fan installs as well. He is not a Triumph purist, just lots of common sense answers. You should check out the pics of his TR6 that he is dropping a Ford V8 into. Makes you want to salivate.

Bill
 
This is a website that describes what is needed to install an electric fan;
https://www.hottr6.com/triumph/tr6fan.html

This from an email that Dan Masters sent to me:

"To order a copy of the book, please send a check or money order for $30.00 (includes priority postage and packing to a US address) to:

Dan Masters
PO Box 6430
Maryville, TN 37802 -6430

For more details about the book, or for ordering info for shipment to a foreign address, see: https://members.aol.com/danmas6/

Thanks for your interest.

Dan"
 
Thanks for all the great info!

I called TRF and ordered a carpet kit, and some other stuff, so while I was at it I ordered the Dan Masters electrical book. It was $34.99 from TRF, but I figgered I may as well add it to the order.

Thanks!
 
[ QUOTE ]
however, at full tilt the 60 alternator can turn the factory wiring, and potentially your car, into a pile a sludge.

[/ QUOTE ]
That has not been my experience with the Bosch upgrade to support my fan conversion (the fan draws directly from the battery). With nearly 7,000 miles since the conversion, I have zero problems to report. And my ammeter works as it did before the upgrade. I talked with Dan Masters before doing the upgrade and he never mentioned a wire loom swap as a requirement. I believe you could have a potential over-amping situation if you fire the car up with a severely discharged battery; that would destroy the alternator first IMHO though.
 
Yes, the battery would have to be very dead for the alternator to do this... but ya never know when a battery is gonna go... nowadays they don't fade over time so much, they just stop working. If that happens, then the alternator will try to charge as best it can. If you consult a wiring chart you'll find that the paltry stock wiring will not hold 60 amps for long without melting.

-Shannon
 
[ QUOTE ]
...(the fan draws directly from the battery)...And my ammeter works as it did before the upgrade...

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume though that the draw of the fan does not show up on the ammeter? Not necessarily a problem but something to be aware of.

As an exercise for my own amusement I put an ammeter on each accessory and noted it's current draw. Gives some idea of the typical & worst cases (realizing that some circuits are mutually exclusive).
 
The Dan Masters Electrical Manual just arrived. All I can say is WOW! This ranks right up there with the old 2 volume Roadster Factory Catalogs. Definetly a must have.
I got it from TRF for $34.99. I know I could have gotten it cheaper elseware,...but I was ordering a bunch of other stuff at the time so I included it in the order.
Well worth the $34.99
 
[ QUOTE ]

I assume though that the draw of the fan does not show up on the ammeter?

[/ QUOTE ]
When the fan kicks on, the ammeter needle swings left (that's how I know it's on since it can't be heard inside the cockpit with engine on). It nearly pegged itself with the old Lucas alternator, but with the Bosch, it only moves about 1/3 of the way.
 
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