battery/charging question

[corn]

My battery has been going dead & after looking things over I figured part of it out. I forgot to install a resistance wire when I converted it to an internal reg alternator. Probably smoked the alt? Also, I did the battery cable test trick to check for a drain & I do have something draining the battery. I dont have a stereo or clock, pretty basic really. HEI & the alternator is about all thats changed. Any ideas?

[Bob 68327]

Corn , you shouldn't have to install a res. if you used the stock harness and tied your wires together at the old reg. I would say if you can't find any bare wires or other sources of drain you may have a rectifier bad in the new alt . Not uncommon if you take to an electrical shop they should be able to test the truck and tell you if the alt is draining you bat. Parts stores test benches won't always detect bad diodes in the rectifier . Hope this helps!! I worked in the auto electric field for a few years!!!

[Longhorn Man]

while doing the test with the cable and a light, unplug the alt. If the light goes bad, you found the problem.

[corn]

Thanks, that was easy. The alt was causing the drain. Now, just replace it & try again, or do I need to install the resistance wire so I dont have the problem again. I havent been able to drive it much & have been having a few strange tuning issues. Im guessing low voltage to the HEI will be most of the problem...

[corn]

ttt

[Longhorn Man]

swap i tout, I've converted a few of these and have never even heard of any resistance additions.

[mtndewmaniac66]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

swap i tout, I've converted a few of these and have never even heard of any resistance additions.

Same here.
Longhorn hit it right on the head.
Bob was right in the rectifier being bad, or even shorted.
Another test is to have a voltage meter hooked up to the battery and monitor voltage drop/action, then disconnect the possible culprit, like the alternator, then observe the voltage reaction, is it holding steady? Is it slightly climbing? If it did then you have located the source.
Changing out from external regulated generators or alternators over to the Delco 10SI alternators were the best conversions ever done to my vehicles.

[corn]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

swap i tout, I've converted a few of these and have never even heard of any resistance additions.

Will do, thanks Andy. Ive done a couple before with no trouble but they were idiot light vehicles.

[corn]

Fresh alt today & everything is great in truck land again. Thanks for the help guys!