Straight-Forward Alternator Upgrade TCS?

[Bryan Boyle]

If you do upgrade your alternator (someone somewhere along the line, I think it was the original owner if the service records I have are correct) to a larger capacity unit...don't forget to also change out your ammeter.  IIRC, the original is a 35A...if you go to 50 or more...and the alternator starts pushing more current...that will do bad things to the indicator. 

Just a suggestion.  Like everything else, one change does have downstream changes sometimes.

[Lotuswins]

Bryan,

That is a good point, since the spade connectors on the ammeter are only rated for 35 amps, and are prone to overheating if not maintained. 

Also, since the alternator is powered off the rear of the camshaft, and the cams are driven by a very small chain, I wouldn't go crazy on an alternator upgrade, keep it to the minimum if possible.  Those internal parts on the twink are pricey!!

Jerry Rude
4005R

[mylesofsmyles]

With regards to the ammeter, I had plans to switch to a Smiths Volts gauge.

[Pfreen]

I changed the ammeter to a smiths 60 amp which has bigger push-on connectors than the 30 amp model.

[RonPNW]

I'm converting to a small (mini-dense) 50 - 60 A alternator,.
In looking at the wiring the long wire to the ammeter and back to all the engine and fan loads is under size. Having the meter in series (IMHO) is also an issue. With all the resistive loss in the system, before the loads, they never see the full system voltage. I have replaced my ammeter with an Air/Fuel meter and run larger wires directly to relays next to the major loads. The windows are dramatically better. It is not hard to do and if there is any interest I can put together a schematic of the changes.
I just use a warning light for any alternator issues.

Ron

[Grumblebuns]

Put the drawing in the tech section.

Years ago I had a small fire in the wiring going to the ammeter behind the wooden dash, I managed to put it out with a fire extinguisher with the resultant mess to clean up. I would like to keep the ammeter but have reservations of having full current going to the ammeter. Has anyone considered or has put in a remote type ammeter using a shunt device outside the cabin.

[jbcollier]

Marine ammeters typically have remote shunts.