Re: Alternator draws current

Posted by Doug Linden on Sep. 22, 1998 at 11:52:52

In Reply to: Alternator draws current
posted by Jim Miller on Sep. 22, 1998 at 09:48:20

: I installed a positive ground 6 volt one wire hook up alternator in my 29 cc pickup and now have a 1.25 amp drain on the battery.Even with the ignition key turned off.If I remove the single wire hook up to the alt. the battery drain goes away.Everything else works great.Good lights, and plenty of charging to bring the battery back up.Any suggestions other than sending the alt. to an elect. shop, which seems to be my next step.
: As always thanks in advance.
: JIM
Jim,
The alternator will draw a small current with the motor off, but it should be about 25-50ma, not the 1.25 A you are experiencing. In a modern car the key disconnect the circuit that causes the current drain. I'm not sure what the reason is for the excess current, but it seem that a diode may not be functioning.
Does the alternator have an external or internal regulator?If is an external reg you might try pulling the regulator plug to see if the current stops.
The only other alternative is to pull the fuse when you stop the engine.
Doug