Running an alternator

Coleydog · 10-01-2017, 10:56 AM

Why even put an alternator on if you're not going to use It during the run? All the power drain occurs then. The only purpose of the battery, after installing an alternator, is to start the engine. The alt supplies ALL the voltage your componites require (at 14 volts not 12 or less), that extra voltage more than makes up for any HP loss that MIGHT occur.

Ed Wright · 10-01-2017, 12:42 PM

Mine ran faster with it turned off during the run.
Even a little quicker with two 16 volt batteries, and no alternator.
Your results might vary. Don't know if you don't test.

Mark Yacavone · 10-01-2017, 02:04 PM

I do it for consistency, not necessarily ET.
On my 2300 turbo, you could hear the idle pull down when you switched on the alternator.

The Monte has never had the alternator switched off. Not even on record passes.
It dials pretty well, and follows along with the big boys' ET's.
Of course, it has the stock computer (which Ed re-did for us), and also stock ignition.
Plus the trans doesn't use any juice either.
So, who knows, without a-b-a testing within a reasonable time frame?

MR DERBY CITY · 10-01-2017, 05:42 PM

The only advice I can give you is.....when they start hot lapping your AZZ, you will be a very happy racer IF you have a very Functional charging system. ........

Ed Wright · 10-01-2017, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

The only advice I can give you is.....when they start hot lapping your AZZ, you will be a very happy racer IF you have a very Functional charging system. ........

I have no problem making three "hot laps" with two 16 volts.

Mike Pearson · 10-02-2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

The only advice I can give you is.....when they start hot lapping your AZZ, you will be a very happy racer IF you have a very Functional charging system. ........

I don't run an alternator. I have a 16 V battery. I ran 11 rounds at one of our Southern Stock Super Stock Assn races last year in one afternoon. 2 rounds of qualifying won the first race and lost 2nd round in the 2nd race. Battery was charged between rounds and I cool off with a separate battery.

Stocker 2 · 10-03-2017, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

The only advice I can give you is.....when they start hot lapping your AZZ, you will be a very happy racer IF you have a very Functional charging system. ........

The hot lapping Mr Derby City is talking about is called winning rounds late in the day. That is something most racers are never lucky enough to experience. If you have not experienced a late round push to get the racing over with for the day, then you do not know what real hot lapping is. Listen to his advice about running an alternator because he has been there and done that.

Ed Wright · 10-04-2017, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker 2

The hot lapping Mr Derby City is talking about is called winning rounds late in the day. That is something most racers are never lucky enough to experience. If you have not experienced a late round push to get the racing over with for the day, then you do not know what real hot lapping is. Listen to his advice about running an alternator because he has been there and done that.

You don't think we know what that is?

Stocker 2 · 10-04-2017, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

You don't think we know what that is?

Everyone knows what 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th round is but how many have been there and actually got to run that many rounds? Unless one has actually been there, they may not know what real hot lapping is.

10-01-2017, 10:56 AM	#1
Coleydog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 572 Likes: 39 Liked 53 Times in 38 Posts	Re: Running an alternator Why even put an alternator on if you're not going to use It during the run? All the power drain occurs then. The only purpose of the battery, after installing an alternator, is to start the engine. The alt supplies ALL the voltage your componites require (at 14 volts not 12 or less), that extra voltage more than makes up for any HP loss that MIGHT occur.

10-01-2017, 12:42 PM	#2
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Running an alternator Mine ran faster with it turned off during the run. Even a little quicker with two 16 volt batteries, and no alternator. Your results might vary. Don't know if you don't test. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA Last edited by Ed Wright; 10-01-2017 at 12:45 PM.

10-01-2017, 02:04 PM	#3
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,822 Likes: 2,916 Liked 5,133 Times in 1,957 Posts	Re: Running an alternator I do it for consistency, not necessarily ET. On my 2300 turbo, you could hear the idle pull down when you switched on the alternator. The Monte has never had the alternator switched off. Not even on record passes. It dials pretty well, and follows along with the big boys' ET's. Of course, it has the stock computer (which Ed re-did for us), and also stock ignition. Plus the trans doesn't use any juice either. So, who knows, without a-b-a testing within a reasonable time frame? __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

10-01-2017, 05:42 PM	#4
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,653 Likes: 1,088 Liked 8,115 Times in 1,531 Posts	Re: Running an alternator The only advice I can give you is.....when they start hot lapping your AZZ, you will be a very happy racer IF you have a very Functional charging system. ........

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