Alternators

[Chris929]

I have an 85 and I'm having trouble with it charging, it is really eratic, it only charges half the time and is getting worse, alot of the time when it is charging it is charging way too much.

My question is whether or not the regulator is internal (in the alternator) or external? If it's external I was wondering which one you think is the problem, and where the regulator is located?

Thanks.

 

[Yardape]

If its an external regulator it will be mounted somewhere close to the solinoid switch on the passenger side fender.

 

[Seabronc]

Sounds like a good time for a 3G alternator upgrade. Your truck has an external regulator, the 3G alternator has an internal regulator. It will also take your anemic 65 amp system up to 130+ depending on what you want to put in.

Good luck,

>-

 

[Yardape]

Seabronc, I dont mean to hijack this post or anything, but since were on the topic. What is the amperage of my alternator on my '89 Bronco. I want to get one that will have no problem with my light bar and winch, is 130amp sufficient? I am also going to be running dual batteries, I have an optima yellow for the accessories and a red one for the truck. Where do you get these alternators? I went to Napa and they said the only one I can get is the stock one. Same reply from a few other local parts stores.

 

[bluesman17]

I went to a place that rebuilds them and got mine (it was still new) if youre running dual optimas you might want to have it built to put a little more juice out. I believe summit racing (summitracing.com) has a couple higher output ones as well...

 

[Yardape]

My concern is getting one and it cooking my wiring harness, and maybe frying a few electronic doodads

 

[Broncosaurus!]

My concern is getting one and it cooking my wiring harness, and maybe frying a few electronic doodads

I too would be concerned with that, as there anything else necesary for the big alt swap?

 

[bluesman17]

With the low amp alts when I had my head lights on and was sitting at a light with my turn signal on the lights would dim with each blink...

 

[snowman74]

I am going to replace my alternator with a 3G as well. Miesk5 has assembled a great tech/install/parts site to help with so much Bronco stuff. Check out:

http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=74

Just about anything you want to know about alternators and installs is here. From what I understand, you need to upgrade to larger battery cable gauge for the extra amperage. The extra power should not, however, affect anything electrical on the system because all circuits are regulated. Your fuse block should protect everything. Don't know exactly how much amperage for lights and a winch, but more couldn't hurt.

Snowman74 >-