Alternator Output?

[dwight hinton]

Battery dead again on wife's car 300E. Seems to be a short circuit (in her brain and mine). Need Help.

So I pulled the new battery out of the 911Turbo and put it in the 300E.

1986 300E stock 70 amp alternator
at 2500 RPM and loading till Voltage drops to 12 volts yielded
alternator putting out 35 amps with HVAC system and radio turned off.

Replaced alternator (went to 80 amp as it was available)
Woops, also realized that wife had left rear window defroster
on and it was not timing out so maybe alternator replacement was not necessary but at 155,000 miles, I'll bite that one.

However, with new alternator, I note the following:

80 amp min. Gross Alternator output (per local alternator shop)
less +/- 10 amp draw from fuel pump (guess)
less +/- 10 amp draw from ignition system etc. (guess)
should yield > or = some 60 amps net at 2500 rpm
while loading the battery down to 12 volts.

Yet mine is only putting out 50 to 53 amps.


any suggestions?

She is bad about starting the car, turning on the defrost (both front & rear) and then going back in the house for 5-10 minutes.
I realize at idle that the alternator cannot put out its max. and for this time frame is likely pulling the batter down. She only drives 3 miles to work so recharge time is limited.

Is there a hidden problem that I am missing
or
is her procedure and circumstance inherently doomed?

Cold weather is nearly over so if its her method, it may solve itself until next winter.
If there is a hidden problem, I fear I am merely going to watch another battery die?

Thanks

Crash

[mbdoc]

The only 80A replacement alternator requires a different wiring harness, not a exact bolt-on due to this! WAS this done?
If this isn't the case then you probably got another 70A alternator.
ORIGINAL alternator in Bosch reman is a AL65X(70A), the 80A is a AL66X & THAT REQUIRES 124-543-45-26 wiring harness.

Undercharging is a common problem on the 300E's upto 1990!

[dwight hinton]

Thanks for the prompt response.

I supppoooossee I could drive her car to work once a week to ensure the trip would charge the battery. She proabbbaaally
will not mind having to drive my 500E.

Thanks again for all the help you guys give. You guys are "THE MAN"

Thanks

Dwight