Alternator info

Larry Merk · 06-12-2013, 08:27 PM

Todd,

I learned that lesson the hard way.

We put a 40 amp mini Nippondenso on our car and after 2 runs the starter would barely turn the motor over. We were not charging the battery between runs. So we added the amperage requirements of all the electrical equipment and found that 40 amps was insufficient to power everything and charge the battery.

We bought a 75 amp Powermaster mini alternator from Summit and it has solved our problem. If we have time we put the battery charger on the car, but if we don't we know the battery has plenty of juice to run the car.

Tom Goldman · 06-13-2013, 09:51 AM

Todd, I had an East Coast Ultra Mini , which is the same alternator on my AMX . ....It maintained good voltage thruout the run, but it does not provide enough current to charge/ maintain the battery without charging between rounds.....I only used the switch off feature a few times ,since the volt drop to the MSD usually slowed the car more than was gained by killing the alternator drag .

06-12-2013, 08:27 PM	#1
Larry Merk Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 213 Likes: 47 Liked 314 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Alternator info Todd, I learned that lesson the hard way. We put a 40 amp mini Nippondenso on our car and after 2 runs the starter would barely turn the motor over. We were not charging the battery between runs. So we added the amperage requirements of all the electrical equipment and found that 40 amps was insufficient to power everything and charge the battery. We bought a 75 amp Powermaster mini alternator from Summit and it has solved our problem. If we have time we put the battery charger on the car, but if we don't we know the battery has plenty of juice to run the car. __________________ Larry Merk

06-13-2013, 09:51 AM	#2
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,477 Likes: 893 Liked 883 Times in 237 Posts	Re: Alternator info Todd, I had an East Coast Ultra Mini , which is the same alternator on my AMX . ....It maintained good voltage thruout the run, but it does not provide enough current to charge/ maintain the battery without charging between rounds.....I only used the switch off feature a few times ,since the volt drop to the MSD usually slowed the car more than was gained by killing the alternator drag . __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK