Alternator

[mellows40]

G`day guys,

Can some one tell me... I just had the alternator changed in my 40 but have still come up with the same old problem... It doesn`t seem to put enough charge into the battery.. every couple of months I need to put the charger on it to top it up... I`m not running a mass of equipment of it. So why does it never seem to have enough power. This is a problem I have always had with it. not new problem.

Is this normal for 40`s or is there somthing I can do ie bigger alternator the auto elec says it`s ok and charging correct. If this is so then why do I run out of power every couple of months?

It only happens when I`ve Got the heater, windsheild wipers, right hand indicator, headlights on and am at a intersection turning right at night...

Does this mean I can`t go out at night when it`s raining??? lol

[joel HJ60]

Check ALL of your electrical connections around the battery and alt. There shouldn't be too many.

Make sure nothing sneaky is being left on, interior light or radio.

Check battery + and - cables. Pull them off clean clean clean.

Get a battery post cleaner. They are good, or some fine sand paper will do.

Check the specific gravity in your battery if you can aswell.

Is the belt tensioned sufficiently?

Is the battery big enough, is the alt big enough? What are the alts putting out?

Start with the easy stuff.

[howesy]

Does the charge wire on the 40 run straight from the alternator to the battery and regardless what condition is that wire in?
In a lot of older vehicles the wire degrades over time and the amperage is not carried through as it should be. I would run a new heavy (like 10 guage) charge wire from the alternator to the battery and see if the problem is still there.
When the auto elec tested the alternator did he do it on or off car.

[mellows40]

Ok the alt is putting out 14 amps.... condition of the charge wire unknown... will check... battery brand new bought it 3 months ago, alt brand new 3 months old ... they both failed at the same time so I replaced them both... The auto elec tested the alt on the car...Now the hard question... wiring... My 4x4 got the nickname .. " The Pig" ... cause 13 years ago when I bought it the previous owner did the wiring him/herself cause they used blue wire for everything.. positive, negitive, accsesories, the bloody lot. So trying to find it will be like trying to find "a needle in a haystack" It was and to a small extent still is a "Pig" to work on but at least I have a start

thanks guys