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11-17-2020, 03:38 AM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 885
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Idle too low low to charge
I recently did some upgrades to the ol truck and ended up draining the battery while testing all the systems. Then I warmed it up and took a screwdriver to the 2jet. got it idling real good, nice and smooth, about 550 rpms, sweet... Not so much.
At 550rip'ems the alternator puts out 11.50 volts with the radio on low and the heater on. With a minimal charge on the battery and a 10 minute warm up this morning the battery was at a deficet. Drove 4 miles to work ( not enough to charge) and my battery was dead after work. Good thing I parked on a hill. Anyways, after a little head scratching, I think I have it figured out. --->I tuned the carb too dang good. I readjusted the Idle up around 650rpm, the alternator stabilized at 13.2v with the radio on and the heater on high, 13.1v if the park lights are on too. Bummer, the thing sounded sweet at a 550 rpm.
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Insert clever text here: Last edited by Greasey Harley; 11-17-2020 at 03:44 AM. |
11-17-2020, 11:07 AM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: mt vernon, oh
Posts: 867
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
Change pulleys
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11-17-2020, 07:22 PM | #3 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
Did you check the belts and tension on the alternator belt.
It could be slipping are just not tight enough.
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
11-17-2020, 08:30 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,512
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
Which alternator do you have? A 12SI has about 7 more amps at engine idle speeds then the older 10SI.
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11-17-2020, 10:04 PM | #5 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 885
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
Stock pulleys seem fine, It didn't cost anything to bump the idle up a few rpm.
Quote:
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The truck seems great now, drove it all day. no problems.
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11-18-2020, 12:42 PM | #6 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
Remember a alternator is not meant to charge up a dead battery. That is the worst thing you can do with it. If your battery is dead charge it with a charger. I know if your stranded you can't but I'm talking about when you do it at home. Put it on the charger. Let it fully charge before you test it. If it wasn't fully charged when you tested the battery out then that's why.
From your response you have a straight drive so the RPM @ idle is a little lower than a auto. Don't know for sure what model you have but a 67-72 C-10 straight drive stock motor is about 650-700 @ idle. If you have a different cam then it would be something else. When warm.
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
11-18-2020, 02:41 PM | #7 |
Msgt USAF Ret
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,709
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
The newer CS alternators output more amps at idle to make those headlights brighter and charge the battery better. Just saying.
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
11-26-2020, 03:38 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,162
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Re: Idle too low low to charge
R&R the EVR. It's getting hard to get a good one anymore.
Still using it on my '68 C/10 w/292. My Checker Auto lifetime warranty gets me a low quality replacement from O'Reilly's. This one charges now, but I get the RED GENERATOR light on the dash when I pull the key out. For now, a good thunp on the left front fender [below the reflector] shocks the body enough to free the sticking contact inside the regulator. On my '71 GMC Jimmy, w/350 I got a new-built 12SI [for a " '76 GMC"] alternator, and connected some wires before the EVR connection. [F + 3, 1 + 2]. Different inputs to the back of the Alternator, and now it works great.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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