Posted by Bob on December 31, 2008 at 19:05:24 from (69.178.228.68):
In Reply to: Idiot light. posted by John B. on December 31, 2008 at 17:36:06:
Hey, John! Can we be FRIENDS? (GRIN)
I took a few hours off from bugging you guys to make a parts run, and take my 9-Y-O out for a little shopping and games with a friend at Micky D's.
Sorry for going a little overboard with you, but on the other hand, "don't shoot the messenger". The information I posted was TRUE and RELEVANT, and IMPORTANT for the long service life of an alternator.
I have worked with these alternators in OEM and conversion settings since they came out in '72 or '73 and have seen MANY examples of alternators being damaged by the scenario I posted about that would otherwise have not been harmed by a loose wire or bit of resistance in the charging circuit, had they had a current-limiting device in the lead to the #1 terminal.
I usually use a 1N5408 diode which costs less than $0.20 in quantity, a SMALL price to pay for increased alternator life/reliability. (A resistor or lamp serve the same function, but require a mount and get HOT as compared to the diode.)
Over the years, I have seen MANY systems with an "idiot light" that the customer notices is glowing slightly when the machine is operated in the dark. Often, this is a sign the charging system needs to have some connections tightened up and/or cleaned and WOULD have lead to alternator damage WITHOUT the light to limit current flow.
Of course, a dimly-glowing "idiot light" CAN indicate a leaky/shorted diode or a shorted stator, even while the alternator is STILL putting out some current.
Incidentally, "john in la" is "up to speed" on this, and "gets it".
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