Alternator Questions
06-17-2013, 05:37 PM
#1
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Alternator Questions
Hey guys I just got a new alternator for my AP1. The alternator is said to work for my make, model and year but it came with a Alternator Performance Curve chart, which I had never seen or heard of before that, and it says that the "turn on speed" is 1300rpms. Now to me that make no sense because the car doesn't idle that high. So I would assume that means no charge is taking place at idle and would that not result in battery drain? I mean if its not charging and I'm sitting in traffic for hours with AC and radio on is my battery going to die and leave me stranded? Also, does anyone know the stock alternator turn on speed?
I should state that this is a replacement unit from one I had go gotten a few months ago from the same place. The first one seemed to work fine but when I pushed in the clutch some times the battery/alternator light and the hand brake light would come on. Both at the same time together. I figured there was something wrong with the alternator so I had them warranty it. And yes, this one is doing the same thing. I have a 30 warranty on this one where I can get my money back so I was hoping yall might be able to help me figure this out.
I should state that this is a replacement unit from one I had go gotten a few months ago from the same place. The first one seemed to work fine but when I pushed in the clutch some times the battery/alternator light and the hand brake light would come on. Both at the same time together. I figured there was something wrong with the alternator so I had them warranty it. And yes, this one is doing the same thing. I have a 30 warranty on this one where I can get my money back so I was hoping yall might be able to help me figure this out.
06-18-2013, 02:58 PM
#3
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it maybe your battery is bad now too... generally the lights come on as a result of the battery loosing power or a cell going bad... may need to check and replace it. .. the rpm is set at that meaning it produces more then 12v after that rpm..... which means anything over thoes 12v which is near idol if im correct will charge your battery... just a guess but I would start there
06-18-2013, 04:57 PM
#4
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First off, the A/C doesn't consume significant battery power. The compressor is belt driven.
Second, does the chart say alternator RPM, like this one does?
If so you need to factor in the pulley size ratio because the alternator should spin faster than the engine.
Second, does the chart say alternator RPM, like this one does?
If so you need to factor in the pulley size ratio because the alternator should spin faster than the engine.
06-18-2013, 05:03 PM
#5
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Given this image,
I measured the alternator pulley to be ~26 pixels and the crank pulley to be ~59 pixels. The alternator should spin about 2.2x faster than the engine.
I measured the alternator pulley to be ~26 pixels and the crank pulley to be ~59 pixels. The alternator should spin about 2.2x faster than the engine.
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