Alternator help!

[TheTopGun]

Hey guys, just finished wiring up a CA18det in a track car. Now all I have left to do is the alternator. It seems pretty straight forward but I have a few Q's. Firstly how important is a fuse from alternator to starter? Seems like a pain to add one as its quite hard to find an inline fuse to suit that big, keeping in mind this is a track only car.

Also the plug that goes into the alternator has two wires one for the alt dash light, dont need that. And another white wire which goes to the battery aswell, what exactly does this one do ?

I've made a picture to help illustrate. Thanks for any input.

[blkvrtswp]

Try audio stores for the fuse - should be able to get one with a holder cheap. I would not run without the fuse - it protects the WIRE from shorting out and starting a fire. Wal-Mart might have them.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_362 ... 1010G.html $6
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_390 ... L80PL.html $2

Also, if you do not hook up the dash light your battery may not charge, or it may overcharge. That wire is not only for the dash light, I believe it controls the alternator field coils. No alt output = current back feeding on this line which lights the light. Much better IMO to hook it up than risk blowing out batteries.

The white wire is power to the alternator's field coils which provide current output. No power = no output.

Good luck!

[TheTopGun]

Awesome thanks mate, I have an electronics store nearby that should sell car audio equipment.

About the dash light wire, is there an alternative to hooking it up to the alternator light ? I have no dash and hence no light, what could i do here?

[TheTopGun]

Ok, I think I undertand it a bit more now.



Basically I need to run a wire from IGN 12V, through a light (optional), then to the field wire on the alternator. When the alternator isnt charging the field wire will go 0V grounding the circuit and light up the light.

[blkvrtswp]

Yes, sir - I think you have it right. Probably easier to hook up a small light but you could also use a resistor with the same specs.