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Race car Alternator problems

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 47hotrod, May 30, 2006.

  1. 47hotrod
    Joined: Jan 21, 2005
    Posts: 13

    47hotrod
    Member
    from Indiana

    I have been having problems starting my car after about 2 rounds. The starter seems to be dragging, So I put in a high torque starter, remote
    (ford) solenoid, and new ground cables and the problem is still there. I run an Alternator to the BAT side of my disconnect switch and noticed when I unhooked the neg. side of the battery it would spark. So, it seems my alternator is slowly draining my battery??? What am I doing wrong here? This is a bracket car with no wiring but the bare essentials.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Mutt
    Joined: Feb 6, 2003
    Posts: 3,218

    Mutt
    Member

    What size cable do you run from your battery to the starter?
    Where is your ground attached? What size is your ground?
    Where is the battery mounted?
    If you checked the switch, and there's no voltage between the posts when it is in the off position, then check the wire from the BAT post to the alternator for current. If there is no current flowing there, then it's a charging problem, not a drainage problem, or a current flow problem in the starting circuit.
    Do you charge the battery with a charger before going to the track, and then the alternator is unable to maintain the charge while racing? Or does the car start OK after it cools off?
    Can you get a fast spin by jumping the starter directly?
    Have you checked the alternator?


    Mutt
     
  3. scottybaccus
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 4,109

    scottybaccus
    Member

    The alternator might cause a drain if the diode rectifier has failed. Test it.
     
  4. 47hotrod
    Joined: Jan 21, 2005
    Posts: 13

    47hotrod
    Member
    from Indiana

    The battery is mounted in the trunk and grounded to the frame (car also has welded subframe connectors) the ground straps are 1 wide braided steel, installed at the engine to frame and at the body to frame. The cable is from a Summit battery relocation kit. The alternator is producing current as indicated from a guage in line. Hot/cold doesn't seem to matter just the more starts the worse it gets. Is it possible to have the #1 and #2 terminals on the alternator wired such that it could mess things up?
     
  5. Dirty2
    Joined: Jun 13, 2004
    Posts: 8,902

    Dirty2
    Member

    #2 can be hot all the time #1 hot with ign on.
     

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