voltage drain

[gr8scott51]

I seldom drive my truck at night. During the day my gage shows that the electrical system is charging at 14 volts, even at idle. Last night I drove home from the golf course with my headlights on. The lights dim, the dash lights dim/brighten in time with the turn signals, the gage drops to about 10 volts. Is this a function of the regulator? Will a new hi-amp alternator help? Nuts and bolts I understand, amps and volts are another story.

thanks, scott

[Bowtie67]

I would check all grounds and cables as well as your alternator belt. Easy way of checking for current draw is pull one cable off battery and put a lighted volt tester between both terminals if there is light then there is a short somewhere. Don't forget to close the door if you have a dome light this will light the tester. If you have a High performance CD/Radio setup with some amplifiers and maybe some super duper high output headlights I deffinately would look at a high output alternator. Sometimes with the smaller late model alternators aren't even enough for a fuel injection set up combined with a high quality cd player setup. JMO

[gr8scott51]

Thanks for the info.

Scott

[dinnut]

i would do a conversion like ragenrat did. he got an alternator for an 84 camaro which puts out 94 amps. then u buy the external to internal regulator switch kit. the kit runs about 15. internally regulated altnerators a BUNCH better than the externally regulated style.

[neonlarry]

If you want to learn more about amps and volts and how inefficient the electrical systems on our trucks are check out this site:
http://www.madelectrical.com/index.shtml