---------------------------------------------------------- Stratus-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 08/25/04: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 08:02 AM - Re: Alternator (Hinde, Frank George (Corvallis)) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 08:02:23 AM PST US Subject: RE: Stratus-List: Alternator From: "Hinde, Frank George (Corvallis)" --> Stratus-List message posted by: "Hinde, Frank George (Corvallis)" That makes sense...I had never seen an excitor wire go to the starter before...I'm sure it always went to the starter switch on all the cars I worked on...Thats the reason! One day I might move this wire to the low tension side of the primary coil, which functionally is the same as the 'ON' position of the key switch. Who am I kidding?....I have no time or energy to mess with this...Its amazing how building this thing was the most important thing in my life at one time....The "honey-do" list is now...:) Frank Do not archive -----Original Message----- From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of RLucka@aol.com Subject: Re: Stratus-List: Alternator --> Stratus-List message posted by: RLucka@aol.com Hey Guys The wire from the alternator that connects to the START position of the starter switch is supposed to be an exciter wire that presents +12 volts to the alternator's sensing circuit that enables it to kick on as soon as the engine starts. Only trouble is, once the engine starts, we release the starter switch quickly enough that the alternator never sensed the +12 volts. Hence, we have to rev the engine to get the alternator going. The exciter wire could be moved to the ON part of the starter switch, where the +12 volts is always present. I did not care for this idea because if you were to move the switch to ON without starting the engine, there is about a 1/2 amp current flowing from the battery to the alternator sensing circuit. What I did was to move the exciter wire to the ON position of the starter switch and installed a simple Radio Shack mini push-button switch so I could just press the switch after starting the engine to excite the alternator into action before turning on accessories, as part of the starting process. Works great and I don't have to rev a cold engine to turn on the strobes, etc. Hope this helps... Dick (601-HDS, Stratus, 205 fun hours) == direct advertising on the Matronics Forums. == == ==