On Feb 4, 4:15*pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:37:14 -0800 (PST), Tim
wrote:

Good news this morning on the alternator. *It came back repaired and
working. *

Great! I was wondering what ever came of that episode. *What kind of a
unit is it? a Powerline or Lestek? Just guessing,. Those makers
specialize in extremely high output units in automotive
configurations.

I'm not sure who actually made the alternator but it is based on a
Delco CS-144 (large case, 2 inch foot), and then beefed up with heavy
duty stator windings and extra diodes:

http://www.alternatorparts.com/Extreme%20Duty%20Dual%20Rectifier%20CS...

It was supposed to be good for 200+ amps but I was never able to get
more than about 150 out of it before the voltage started sagging off.
The local guy here replaced the stator coils with whatever he had on
hand, nothing special it appears, and it now looks like it is good for
about 110 amps or so. *I'm OK with that as long as it is durable. *The
stock Delco that they use in Chevy pickups and Suburbans is rated at
124 amps but the local NAPA place couldn't get one in a reasonable
time.


Wayne, if your alternator is modified to a 'self-exciting' or 'one-
wire' system, that's possibly where your problem was. it seems that
regardless of brand, the SE volt regulators are known to have a
voltage drop where you can't get a good full load out of the unit. or
you need a slightly smaller alt. pulley. (too small is harsh on the
belts, though)

Those items might explain the 150a. before the voltage drop. Or the
builder isn't accurate with their rating claim.