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By Apache - 13 Years Ago
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Here's the situation. After finally getting my A/C blowing cold again, I'm having voltage problems. 14 when i'm running, 13.7ish with brights on. But drops to 12.8 and creeps it's way under 12 when the A/C is engaged. I thought it was the alternator so put on another. Now I have the same problem AND NOW she's screaming like a Banshee too!!!
Here's the link to the brackets, has anyone had any problems or heard of problems with these?
Thanks,
William
http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/air-conditioning/ford-y-block-292-312-compressor-bracket-188.php
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By Pete 55Tbird - 13 Years Ago
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William Sounds like two seperate problems. How many AMPS is the alternator and what is the total load of your electrical system. AND what size pulley is on the crank vs the pulley on your alternator. Width of fan belt? First make sure it is not caused by a slipping belt, then go from there. Alignment of pulleys, size of groves in the pulley. Pete
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By dbird - 13 Years Ago
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I'd go with a slipping belt. On mine, there isn't a whole lot of wrap on the alternator pulley, so just a little loose and the voltage drop was noticeable on the instruments. Tightening the belt cured it, or at least it did in the garage and everything seemed to work well on a recent 200+ mile trip. I had a problem with pulley alignment also so the belt would wear unusually fast, leading to the loose belt and associated problems.
Don
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By Apache - 13 Years Ago
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I'll try to tighten up the belt even more, but there's really not much more room for tightening.
And it's a 63 amp alternator. I'm not running many accessories: electric fan, radio, headlights, dash lights, and signal lights, brake lights, A/C compressor, horn.... that's about it I think.
Thank you everyone for your help so far....
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By miker - 13 Years Ago
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When you added the alternator, did you do it as a 3 wire or a 1 wire? If your reading the output at the alt and not the battery, it may not be seeing the electrical load properly. When I added an alt several years ago, I used a 1 wire set up, and on my 'bird, I was down over one volt from the alt to the battery. Changed to 3 wires with the hookup at the battery, and it came right up to 13.7 at the battery. I also just added a/c, and the compressor and (in my case) electrical load for the fans, evap and condenser, was way more than I expected. I really saw it in the idle. My setup is classic auto air, but the brackets look very similar if not the same. No idea on the noise, except the belt as mentioned.
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By Apache - 13 Years Ago
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It's definitely correct at the battery. Was a 3 wire and I converted it to a 1 wire. Was running to the voltmeter, but to double check, I rewired it to run straight to the battery. It's really dropping 2+ volts when the compressor is engaged. I'll try tightening up more, could just be major slipping I guess....
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By Rono - 13 Years Ago
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William; I'm running the same set of brackets. I had to get the big bottom bracket with the slot in it for belt adjustment completely re-cut. The slot did not have enough length to get the belt adjusted tight enough. Luckily, there was a company where I lived with a CNC Plasma cutting machine. I made a cardboard template of the bracket, but extended the slot. Below is a picture of the new bracket with the longer slot.  After the bracket was made, there was ALOT of tinkering with spacers to get the belts aligned. This configuration only allows the alternator belt to contact about 1/3 of the pulley so you have to hope it won't slip. I'm using a "Tuff Stuff" 100 AMP 1 wire alternator and so far it's providing enough juice. Rono
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By Pete 55Tbird - 13 Years Ago
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William If your loss of current from the alternator to the battery is being caused by a slipping belt the early Ford Mustang with A/C used TWO belts to drive the alernator and waterpump. Could this system work for you? Pete
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By Don Woodruff - 13 Years Ago
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Dont forget wire size, Wireing was sized for 30 amps, higher current draw will result in significant voltage drop, as in your original problem.
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By Apache - 13 Years Ago
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Rono (6/2/2012)
William; I'm running the same set of brackets. I had to get the bigbottom bracket with the slot in it for belt adjustmentcompletely re-cut. The slot did not have enough length to get the belt adjusted tight enough. Luckily, there was a company where I lived with a CNC Plasma cutting machine. I made a cardboard template of the bracket, but extended the slot. Below is a picture of the new bracket with the longer slot. After the bracket was made, there was ALOT of tinkering with spacers to get the belts aligned. This configuration only allows the alternator belt to contact about 1/3 of the pulley so you have to hope it won't slip. I'm using a "Tuff Stuff" 100 AMP 1 wire alternator and so far it's providing enough juice. Rono
Yeah, I have a gut feeling that the bracket made wasn't long enough to compensate for pulley coverage, which is causing major belt pressure issues. I did notice that the alternator and compressor also seem to be a tad bit more forward than the fan and crank pulley..hmmmm
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By HT32BSX115 - 13 Years Ago
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Howdy,
I have those brackets. I am also using a 12si alternator with a dual groove pulley because I didn't want to have any slippage issues.
This picture shows the single groove pulley I removed and replaced with the double groove.
Since BOTH the 100A alternator and the A/C pump take a fair amount of torque I wanted to make sure I had double belts!
You will have to play with the spacers a little AND re-drill the mount where it bolts to the head below.
The upper pulley and shaft is my mock-up for the "high-mount" fan + clutch which I may bag altogether for a Flex-A-Lite dual electric fan system.
Cheers,
Rick
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By Apache - 13 Years Ago
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Where'd you get the dual belt pulley??? I was also thinking of looking into a LARGER pulley, which would allow more belt coverage on the pulley. But I'm also worried that it would cause charging problems...hmmmm
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By HT32BSX115 - 13 Years Ago
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Apache (6/2/2012)
Where'd you get the dual belt pulley??? I was also thinking of looking into a LARGER pulley, which would allow more belt coverage on the pulley. But I'm also worried that it would cause charging problems...hmmmm
I think I bought it from Dennis Carpenter a few years ago. It was new (old-stock) That with the additional one for the power steering gives me 3 grooves.
I don't know if I really need to use both grooves but since i had them I thought I'd use them. I got the ALT from Autozone. I think it's for a mid 80's GM (Chev, Buick Olds etc.... I think rated at 90 or 100A .....)
OH. YOU mean the pulley on the ALT? I got it from EBAY. some outfit selling them. It was about $30 or so.
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By Apache - 13 Years Ago
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I went to a local alternator shop and paid $8 to have a 2-groove pulley installed. I'm still only using one belt, but torquing it down as tight as I can has seemed to stop the squealing and I'm not having voltage problems anymore. Schweeet
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