Since it's the easier vehicle to work with (and I can undo stuff if I fark it all up), I want to experiment with charging system tricks and stuff like that in my girl's Dart. Anyway, my big question is with high output alternators putting out only 12V or just below when at idle speeds. I have that problem with the 120A internally regulated alt in my truck, and I plan on putting a 120A GM alt into the Dart when we start really working on it to power electronic ignition, an EFI conversion, high output headlights (Hella H4s anybody? These things rock), driving lights (just two big high beams mounted inboard of the factory headlights), and a decent sound system. A while back, Jacobs electronics made a product called the Accuvolt that could accept power as low as 9V from the battery and regulate it to a perfect 14.1V. Unfortunately, they've gotten VERY hard and costly to get, and I'd much rather have something similar, that would install in line between the alt's charging post and the battery's positive terminal and take the full range of voltage from a high output alt, outputting a constant 14.1V to the entire vehicle's electrical system. Any of you electrical gurus know of anything that'll do this, or any DIY thing I could do to get the same effect?

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

Something doesn't jive right with me about that. I forgot the technical engineering term for it, but using electronics to boost a dc voltage usually nets you little current, not high enough to charge a battery or power the rest of your accessories. Ah wait, they were called charge-pump circuits I believe.

Methinks it would be easier for you to install an alternator that has high output at idle. Check out powermastermotorsports.com they take every day alternators and install their own guts to give them not only higher total output but also better current at idle.

If these Accuvolt devices your talking about did as good a job as you claim then I'm sure they'd still be popular, and probably installed in every factory car with a smaller alternator. I'd wonder about the efficiency of such a device as well. It would have to be very high to be useful.

I am using the Nippondenso alternator from a 95 dodge pickup/360.
110 amps. If you use the stock cast alternater bracket from an early slant, and remove 1/4 inch from the front of the bracket, the alternator will bolt right on. The 95 alternator uses a multi groove pully. Just remove that pully and replace it with a pully from a mid 80's Toyota pickup. Use the stock Mopar electronic regulator, and upgrade the power wire. Puts out over 13 volts at idle.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

The only way you can output 14v when the alternator is putting out 12v or less is to use an inverter, and as stated before, the current output will be less. The easiest way I can think of is to put a smaller pulley on the alternator, making it spin faster. That should get you more output at idle.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster