HELP!!! Alternator problems

[WFO]

I have 1969 camaro BBC put on the front runner system from Billet specialties and i have burned up 3 alternators they told me it is the regs burning up and i ave a ground problem .I have put more ground straps to motor body and frame all 4awg wire and i just blew another when i turned onn my AC and headlights .Can you guys give me an idea were to start now it is driving me nuts each one last about 1000 miles thats it

[rickpaw]

Is your alternator chromed or polished? If so, the alt may not be grounded properly. The chromed alt that came with the VA front runner I have has a separate post for the ground; as the chromed housing won't provide a sufficient ground contact point.

[H2Ogbodies]

Not to mention chrome is the worst possible dissipater of heat-it holds heat so well it literally cooks the internals.

[Anthony k]

I just exploded a alt.

What amp alt are you using?


If it's too small for your amp draw...... POP!!!


also, don't use a 1 wire. I hate those.

[anthonys 69]

is your main power cable going straight to the battery. are there any connections in-between the battery and the alternator. check to see if any of these connections are loose or getting hot which would indicate a week connection. with a digital volt meter, volts setting, hook the positive test lead of tester to the main charge wire of the alternator, and the negative test lead of the tester to the positive of the battery there should not be more than .7 voltage drop showing on the meter, (test performed with engine running). if the voltage is more than .7 there is a bad connection somewhere and the alternator is trying to force the power through....... you can test the ground circuit this way as well, tester set to volts, first hook the positive test lead to the negative post of the battery, next hook the negative test lead to the alternator casing, disconnect the ignition coil so the engine will not start, test must be performed with engine cranking to create a loud on the ground system, voltage should be less than .3 volts. let me know if this helps good luck

[anthonys 69]

Thinking about your problems. the only thing that I can think of that blow alternators over and over. is intermittent short of the hot wire to ground. You could put some 100 amp fuse able link at the alternator and if the wire blows you have a short. Good luck