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Alternator

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by bolerpuller, May 6, 2017.

  1. May 6, 2017
    bolerpuller

    bolerpuller Member

    Great White North
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    The PO wired a switch to the alternator so he could shut it off so it wouldn't over charge his battery. This seems strange to me.....Do some alternators not have charge protection, should i replace the alternator? There was a-lot of plywood on this jeep. Maybe he was wrong? Any ideas?
    Thanks!
     
  2. May 6, 2017
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Guy I used to work for wired the alternator up like that as a bit of theft protection. Truck would only run until the battery died unless you tossed that switch to cut the alternator in so it would charge. And you had to know where the switch was to use it.
     
  3. May 6, 2017
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    A good working alternator would not need a switch, they have a regulator either inside or remote, but they should take care of themselves. I have GM one wires on both of my Jeep motors, they are not too expensive and are available almost everywhere. Good Luck
     
  4. May 6, 2017
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    A picture of your alternator would help. If you have a Delco (early early) which used a remote regulator then connecting a wire directly from a switch to the field terminal would full field the alternator making it charge all the time the switch was on. If the alternator has an internal regulator this will not work. If you have the Motorola alt without the reg connected then a live wire from a switch would do the same as the old Delco.
     
  5. May 7, 2017
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I can't my Jeep is 250 miles away, the alternator is one of the cheap chrome ones off E-Bay rebuilt in China. It is 110 amp, cost about $70.00.
     
  6. May 7, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Actually the alternator should always be charging- that why they output 14.5 volts instead of 12. Juicing the field to full battery voltage will make it overcharge, I think potentially they can go up over 100 volts. :shock:

    H.
     
  7. May 7, 2017
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Yes alternators can go above 100 volts especially with no load. That is why it is dangerous to the electronics in the car to run it with the battery disconnected.
     
  8. May 7, 2017
    bolerpuller

    bolerpuller Member

    Great White North
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    Here is a pic. I'm guessing by the numbers on the top this might have come from an auto wrecker.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  9. May 7, 2017
    bolerpuller

    bolerpuller Member

    Great White North
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    That's what I was thinking. I think I'll just replace it, then there's no worries. I hate to continually replace parts as each new part takes part of the budget, and means more time before it becomes drive-able.
     
  10. May 7, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Well, if you don't replace it then you'll have more money but it still won't be driveable. ;)
     
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