Idle and fully loaded electrical issue

[escortwgn]

With everything off, the alt is producing normal. Turn the ac blower on, and with each speed going up the power gauge on dash, and bolt meter on battery drop. On high, I'm getting about 12.8 from the battery. If I drop in gear and/or turn lights on, well it's been as low as 12.2. I've added additional grounds on the chassis to engine and to battery. What makes it worse is that I just got the ac working and I'm afraid of either overloading the alt and causing a fire, or running out of power and dying on the road. Should the alt be checked by a store, replaced or perhaps its too small?

 

[Skitter302]

1. Did you have the regulator professionally tested?

2. Are all your Positive leads attached correctly?

3. How old is the Alt in question?

 

[miesk5]

Yo,

As skitter advised.

How does the alternator connector  look?  Connector, IAR Burn-Up, Ford; "fires allegedly caused by the Ford Alternator. Ford uses a plug connector and not the conventional attachment. Investigators think that this plug connector develops high resistance over time and becomes even more dangerous when it is removed and reconnected..." 

Source: by interFIRE

& by Ford;

• Loose or worn drive belt.
• Open/voltage drop in Circuit 38 (BK/O).
• Open/voltage drop in Circuit 36 (Y/W).
• Open/high resistance in Circuit 904 (LG/R).
• Damaged regulator 
• Damaged battery.  Have it tested using a high rate discharge testerat local parts store.

See 1990 Bronco Pre-Delivery Shop & Electrical & Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual  (EVTM), Partial by Kingfish999 in Google Drive

Slow scrolling.
Find page # of item desired in contents, then flip screen flip down like spinning a bearing then stopping periodically to see what page you are on. 
°see page 12-1 for Wiring Diagrams

How the Circuit Works page 13-2

Troubleshooting Hints page 13-3 but same as above.  Although you will have an idea of what needs to be tested.

 

[brainybroncoboy]

Justin,

What's your battery voltage with the truck at idle and no other accessories on? at idle and the lights on? 

thanks,

mike