Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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Schnauzer

Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by Schnauzer »

I ordered the 95 amp alternator kit from Mark Allison last week. I had experienced all of the normal problems associated with the stock 45 amp alternator supplied on my 76. Very poor lights, couldn't see the dash, gauges reading funny, tach bouncing around and reading way low. My ignition would crap out if I used the heater blower or windshield wipers. Turn signal flasher would not cycle. Even affected my fuel pump relay.

My kit from Allison Automotive was here in Idaho in 3 days. Brand new unit not rebuilt. 95 amp internally regulated. Mark supplied written instructions for removing the battery charging relay and voltage regulator along with detailed instructions for the wiring work arounds. These instructions corresponded exactly with the component numbers, wire colors, and connection numbers on my factory wiring diagram. Total time to install from hood opening to fire up was 40 minutes. I had lights!!!!!!!!!!! Cured all of my electrical glitches. 14.5 volts at the battery with lights, wipers, and heater motor going. This is by far the best upgrage I have done to my Spider and has dramatically inhanced my enjoyment of the driving experience. Huge Huge difference.

All this and at less than the rebuilt price from our normal vendors and no shipping a core back and waiting for a core charge refund. Wow! Thanks Mark!

Jim
Coeur d,Alene Idaho
WYSpider

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by WYSpider »

Is this plug and play: undo wires from old alt and connect to new; then tension alt belt? Or is there wire splicing involved?
Schnauzer

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by Schnauzer »

WYspider:

Not plug and play but easy to follow instructions from Mark. A lot depends on which year and which original equipment alternator you have. Mine was 45 amp with an external voltage regulator and charging relay. Mark gives you instructions that correspond to your set up. I removed both the regulator and charging relay. The wire from the alternator to the regulator is not used so it is just taped off. A jumper is used across two wires on the charging relay and the dash indicator light is connected to a wire on the alternator. Easy step by step giving you wire colors and terminal numbers right off the wiring diagram. Works flawlessly. What a difference Dude! Worth every cent and then some. Easy project with huge benefits. Call Mark. He will walk you through it.

Jim
leftfield6

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by leftfield6 »

Does anyone know the rated output of the alternator on the 83 Pininfarina Azzura? Wondering if my Spider would benefit from this upgrade.
So Cal Mark

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by So Cal Mark »

some of those late ac cars had 65amp alternators
User avatar
124ADDHE
Posts: 365
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:19 pm
Your car is a: 1974 Spider Amalgamation with C40 Solex
Location: Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by 124ADDHE »

I just also looked at the fiat workshop manual and it looks like all of the injected cars are 65amps, 77-80 cars had the 55 marelli and the 75-76 cars had a 45amp unit. My 74 had a marelli unit with an external voltage regulator, the manual does not list the specs for this one though.
Regards,
Keith Cox
1973 124 Spider
1973 John Deere 500c backhoe
1987 Jaguar VDP
2013 passat tdi
2015 cherokee
SouthSwedeSpider

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by SouthSwedeSpider »

Would there be a noticable difference in going from 65 to 95 A? Even if I have the best stock alternator and headlight relays, the output still seems too low when heater and wipers are on.
pastaroni34

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by pastaroni34 »

SouthSwedeSpider wrote:Would there be a noticable difference in going from 65 to 95 A? Even if I have the best stock alternator and headlight relays, the output still seems too low when heater and wipers are on.
Yes. This is a fantastic upgrade over the 65a alternator.
User avatar
Kingme2
Posts: 291
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:04 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 Spider
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by Kingme2 »

I did the alternator (Thx Mark!), brown-wire fix,halogen angle-eyes and just now did the head-light relays...

WOW... no dim-wit headlights for me anymore!! 8)
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, we have decided to turn off the light at the end of the tunnel. We apologize for any inconvenience.

1981 Fiat Spider, all black... "Corvino", italian for the Raven
wikkid

Re: Huge Benefit from Alternator mod!

Post by wikkid »

Good timing - I just posted about this, too, as I got some of my "magic smoke" escaping through my alternator just this week. Sounds like an order is pending. I just want to be sure the problem came from the old alternator itself, so I don't get a repeat as soon as I hook up a new one! What would make an alternator smoke, as soon as I hooked up a fully charged battery to the car - no ignition, turning a key, no nothing - just power in from the battery. (?)
Sorry - I should delete my other post on the same subject...
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