couple of questions

501 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by wabit, Dec 3, 2001

wabit

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2001

I'm wondering what kind of voltage drop is on the battery when you turn on the stock highbeams? (stock wiring and lights) I ask because I have the 4 light grill with custom wiring and 400 watts when I turn on my highbeams. I have the stock 65 amp alternator but I failled to check the voltage drop before doing the wiring.
On mine the voltage drops .15 with just lows and .3 with highs, I just wanted to compare if anyone knows that would be helpfull
All so my alternator doesn't charge until I hit 3000 rpm then it puts out 14 volts is this normal (its a 16v) I don't recall any of my previous cars doing that.
And last does anyone else have problems with cd players? I'm on my 3rd for the year they keep skipping badly and not ejecting cd's. I don't think my car has to harsh a ride. I have the deck mounted in the center console is there a possibilty that it gets to much heat from the heater core?
thanks for any help

See less See more

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

A1Rocco

· #2 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: couple of questions (wabit)

The stock alt. for my 81 Scirocco is only 65 amps, That was an upgrade from the 55amp alt that was in the Rabbit with two headlights. I now have 80/100 hi/lo's and still 60 watt sealed beam driving lights with the 65 amp alt. and a 720 cold cranking amp battery from Crappy Tire. I had this set-up on my last 80 Scirocco and the old battery would not recharge enough so after 2 years the battrey died. Right now I'm OK just barely but my battery is taking a hit. If I upgraded my driving lights to 100's I would definitely need the 90 amp A2 alt. that I used in my old Scirocco. So I would say you better get yourself a 90 amp soon or your battery will be toast.
James.

Save

lostinnc

· #3 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: couple of questions (wabit)

quote:[HR][/HR]
And last does anyone else have problems with cd players? I'm on my 3rd for the year they keep skipping badly and not ejecting cd's. I don't think my car has to harsh a ride. I have the deck mounted in the center console is there a possibilty that it gets to much heat from the heater core?
[HR][/HR]

don't know about alt. stuff, I have a CD player in my '84 and it only skips (very rarely) I have Neuspeed SoftSports/ Boge Turbo suspension... no front swaybar or aftermarket tiebars
as for the heat, I have no stock speaker in the location to the left of the CD player, this may help with heat...
when I ran my '83 with a tape deck I had to add a small fan, it used to almost melt my tapes!

Save

schleppy

· #4 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: couple of questions (lostinnc)

To test for heat try leaving the unit plugged in but drive around with it exposed to air. If it works ok then heat must be it.
If you think heat is an issue go pick up a small computer processor fan at radioshack or someplace similar and cut a hole for it near one of the sides of the radio to reduce heat. Wire it into the cd player so it comes on with it

Just a few ideas...

See less See more

Save

wabit

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: couple of questions (schleppy)

anyone on the alternator or lighting?

Save

Mk1Racer

· #6 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: couple of questions (wabit)

I'm not sure what the voltage drop should be. I just got done putting a 90amp alt. in my d-d GTI (I had it laying around, bought it in 1990 from WolfSport). I had put in 55/100 H4's and the Hella grill (w/ 55w bulbs). I'm going to be installing a set of Hella 550's under the bumper w/ 100w bulbs, so that means I'll be hitting over 500watts w/ everything on.
The 65amp Motorola was dead, as it had the 'fried diode' sound and the light would never go out 100%. I'll have to put a volt meter on the thing and get a good reading on the voltage drops. I'll get at idle w/ nothing on for a benchmark and then go w/ grill, grill w/ low beam, grill w/ high beam, grill w/ h/b and fan on full, grill w/ h/b, fan, and rear defrost. I haven't put the killer stereo in the car, so I'm not worried about that drawing any power.
As far as your alt. not charging until 3000 rpm, I think there's something wrong w/ your D+ wire (excitor wire). Mine kicks in at 1200 rpm, all I have to do is blip the throttle when I start it, and the alt light goes out.
BTW, if you've got A/C in the car, get ready for an all morning job if you decide to change the alt. You have to either pull the lower radiator hose, or move the radiator and AC condensor to get the alt. out.

See less See more

Save

wabit

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: couple of questions (millerwj)

I have no a/c, I checked with engine idleing, high beams, driving lights, fan, windshield wipers, and cheap stereo voltage was 12.8. I'm checking my wiring today on the alternator.
Thanks for the help

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month