2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Damn, Alternator Not Enough?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 12:41 PM
  #1  
MazdaRx7Racer4Life's Avatar
Thread Starter
I AM A THIEF!! READ THE FEEDBACK SECTION!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Damn, Alternator Not Enough?

I think Im loading my alternator too much. I have a Fiero GT Electric fan, a walbro reired fuel pump and a massive 2000watt stereo system with pre-amp and all. My battery slowly but surely dies out, even if my car is still on. My voltometer shows that when the stereo cranks and the a/c is on, it never goes past 11v on idle and while driving at around 12, If I really turn up my system it will reach almost 9v and shut off the radio by itself. Basically I have to have my foot on the gas pedal accelerating it to about 1.5k in order for it to not shut off. Its my alternator isnt it?
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 01:02 PM
  #2  
eViLRotor's Avatar
Brother of the Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,781
Likes: 2
From: Arkham Asylum
Sounds like you need more AMPs than the alternator can supply. Had that problem too. 100 AMP FD alternator solved that problem for me.

I was getting only 11.4V at idle and maybe 12.5V at cruise...not nearly enough to charge the battery. You should be seeing 13.8-14.4V or so, AFAIK.

Last edited by eViLRotor; Aug 13, 2004 at 01:10 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 01:11 PM
  #3  
WAYNE88N/A's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,721
Likes: 3
From: Coldspring TX
Turn all your loads off (including the fan) and check your voltage at the battery posts with the car running at idle (750 rpm's at least)...What do you get? Should be at least 14.4v...

I feel sorry for that poor little alternator...And your eardrums, lol

Note poor grounds could also cause your problems...
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 01:26 PM
  #4  
jimmyv13's Avatar
Round&Round not Up&Down
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 0
From: West Bloomfield, MI
A regrounding and an FD alt upgrade is in order. I have not done the regrounding, but I have the FD alt with a perma cool 16" fan, 400W power inverter running my laptop and a wideband, and I see 14.4 at idle with the fan and the inverter running. At night, I see about 14.1 with the lights, defrost, radio, fan, and power inverter all going.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 01:50 PM
  #5  
91mazdarx7's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
yea it definitly just sounds like your draining more power then what the alt can put back in the battery just get a fd alt and reground and that will solve it for sure
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 01:58 PM
  #6  
MazdaRx7Racer4Life's Avatar
Thread Starter
I AM A THIEF!! READ THE FEEDBACK SECTION!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
thanks everyone, Thats what Ill do. Any grounding writeups as to the key spots?
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 02:02 PM
  #7  
ddub's Avatar
i am legendary
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,478
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
Originally Posted by MazdaRx7Racer4Life
thanks everyone, Thats what Ill do. Any grounding writeups as to the key spots?
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/grounding-how-thorough-discriptive-199558/


That's the one in the archive, I pretty much followed it the way it shows to.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 02:41 PM
  #8  
RETed's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,664
Likes: 22
From: n
The stock piece of **** alternator cannot handle the load.
Grounding will not fix your problem.
These cars don't need to stinkin' 2000W stereo in them.
I get my audio fix revving the engine.

Get an FD alternator.
This is probably your easiest and quickest fix.


-Ted
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 04:55 PM
  #9  
eViLRotor's Avatar
Brother of the Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,781
Likes: 2
From: Arkham Asylum
Originally Posted by RETed
These cars don't need to stinkin' 2000W stereo in them.
I get my audio fix revving the engine.
!Amen to that!
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2004 | 04:57 PM
  #10  
ddub's Avatar
i am legendary
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,478
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
Originally Posted by eViLRotor
!Amen to that!
My stereo includes and mp3 cd player and 2 rear stock speakers, no fronts
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2004 | 01:18 AM
  #11  
Hollywood56's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Miami
You may also want to get the fd alt. rewound for better performance since you have a big system in that 7.
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2004 | 01:24 AM
  #12  
silverrotor's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, Corporate Canada
Thats quite a strain you've got on your electrical system.

Yeah, these FD Alternator Alternators kick ***.
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2004 | 01:32 AM
  #13  
silverrotor's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, Corporate Canada
West TX RX-7 purchased an FD Alternator Kit from me. He couldn't have been more pleased. He needed it because he was running 2k watts rms on his stereo.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2004 | 07:16 AM
  #14  
MazdaRx7Racer4Life's Avatar
Thread Starter
I AM A THIEF!! READ THE FEEDBACK SECTION!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
sounds great, how much are your alternator kits?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Captain Hook
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
13
Oct 4, 2015 06:35 PM
Robrods64
New Member RX-7 Technical
6
Oct 2, 2015 07:56 PM
WANKfactor
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
6
Sep 29, 2015 01:14 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:57 AM.