Yup...using the alternator pulley from a '98+ model works well on the older
alternators - much better charging rate at idle.
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: jon@dakota-truck.net [mailto:jon@dakota-truck.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 3:40 PM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
Subject: Re: DML: RE: Alternator Upgrades
"Bernd D. Ratsch" <bernd@dodgetrucks.org> wrote:
> The alternator amperage rating won't really help...it's the underdrive
> pulley that's causing the low charging rate. I had both the
> alternator and crank underdrive pulley's on my truck for a while and
> with the same problem (running larger ground and power feed wires and the
135amp alternator).
> Best bet: get rid of the underdrive alternator pulley and stick with
> just the crank pulley.
Yep, I don't know if any studies have been done on this or not, but I
can't imagine there is much horsepower to be gained by underdriving the
alternator anyway... When I switched to underdrive pullies on my Dak many
moons ago, charging at idle was nonexistent.
The lights would dim, and the needle would dip WAY to the left, etc.
I reinstalled my stock alternator pulley which was better but still not
great, then I got an overdrive pulley from fellow DMLer John Burgan at
Carlisle one year, and that did the trick. (Its a smaller pulley than stock
so it counteracts the underdriven crank pulley to bring the rpm of the
alternator pulley back up to about where it would be stock.) I'm not sure
who makes these or where you would get them, but I'm sure they must be
available out there somewhere. Might be an option for you to consider - its
certainly cheaper than a new alternator at any rate! :-)
--
-Jon-
.- Jon Steiger -- jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com -.
| '96 Kolb Firefly, '96 Suzuki Intruder, Miscellaneous Mopars |
`-------------------------------- http://www.jonsteiger.com --'
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