130 alternator

[rellik god]

got a 130 alternator for free. guy said he ground shorted it what do i replace or look for to make this work again

[Brandon]

I think the alternator is preety much useless if he shorted it out.

[1987cp]

It's theoretically possible to save the alternator by purchasing and installing a replacement rectifier assembly. On the large-case 3G that came with my Vic that grounded itself out, I was having such a lousy time getting the rectifier connections loose (seems to be soldered with something hard that requires a pretty powerful soldering gun) that I eventually gave up, ran a spare 2G for a while, and finally installed a good used small-case 3G that Scott was able to send me. I still hope to manage to rebuild my old large-case 3G one of these days - there are a couple of websites where you can order replacement rectifiers.

[gadget73]

Take it to Autozone or something and have it tested. That will tell you if its any good, or what the issue is. Likely its either a failed rectifier (sometimes called diode trio) or a cooked voltage regulator. VR is easy to fix, rectifiers not terribly difficult if you can solder and have a hot enough iron. I'd probably consider a 150-300 watt American Beauty soldering iron for that job, or use a propane torch to remove them since you won't ruin a bad rectifier by torching them. Finding replacements may be slightly more difficult but I'd be willing to wager you can source generic rectifiers that will drop right in and probably have a higher current rating from an electronics supplier. MCM has stupid amounts of stuff.

87cp: plz to be re-activating your photobucket account so your sig pic works ktnx.

[1987cp]

Photobucket? Re-activate? I shall look into it ...


I hadn't seriously thought of trying to use a torch. Is it easy to do without melting down junk you need to protect (like the plastic collar between the two halves of the alt body)? Of course, my torch has been loaded with Mapp recently, which can tend to incinerate things propane won't.


PS. thr u r thainmang you can see my most awesomest sigpic once again thnx


Edit: I see a 300-watt iron, but not a 150/300. http://www.americanbeautytools.com/s...cat=heavyirons I wonder how much these things run, anyway?

[gadget73]

I meant a 150 up to a 300, not necessarily a dual range. You can dual range it with a diode, or just use a light dimmer as a crude temperature control. Google gives me prices ranging from about 150-200 new. Someone probably has a used one on ebay for less. They're most commonly used for doing stained glass and stuff like that. Its a hell of a lot of soldering iron, something most people would have a rather limited use for.


Honestly I've never tried to de-solder the rectifiers so I don't know whats in there for a propane torch to damage. I'd think if you can de-solder the leads to the rotor (which does not rotate) and be left with just the rectifier plate, there shouldn't be much else around it that could be damaged. Heck, if that rectifier plate comes out entirely then you're good to go.

[rellik god]

my amp light dosent work and my alternator isnt charging i got 12v at the back of it thick red wire also on the connector of regulator white wire got 12v the green wire has nothing with key on engine off what could be the problem and where do i go from here

[gadget73]

have it tested somewhere. Without knowing for sure the alternator is actually good, its hard to tell you where to start. It may be a wiring problem, or it might be the alternator or regulator is dead. If you have a shop manual, there is a section on testing the alternator to determine whats bad, but I don't have any means to scan that for you. Its a bit too involved to just retype.

[rellik god]

alternator is new field tested it tap ground screw on back voltage read 14 then took load off and nothing

[1987cp]

If you have no power to the field coils, that's certainly not helping anything. But a bench test of the alternator itself is definitely the first piece of advice to follow.

[gadget73]

does the amp light come on with the key on, and engine not running? If not, thats possibly the issue. That circuit is what turns the alternator on, and if its got a break in the wiring, you have no charging system. The cluster needs to be installed for that. if yours is not in place, it won't charge.

Also, just because its new doesn't always mean its good. I've installed new defective parts before.

[Ike Clanton]

Also, just because its new doesn't always mean its good. I've installed new defective parts before.

X2...assume nothing.

[GM_Guy]

Photobucket? Re-activate? I shall look into it .

Just log in to your bucket. If you have not logged in for X days, photobucket 404s your links.

Alex.