Alternator Connections.

jomeo · Post by **jomeo** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:36 pm

As the title suggests.

On our car there are only two connections used.
The smaller spade connector and the middle large spade connector in the block of three.
The other three are not used.

Is this normal?? On our other car the single nut connection feed the battery.

What are the other connections for????
Many Thanks guys.
Joe

Post by **katanaman** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:09 pm

it might be an either or deal here but am not at home at mo to check my drawings. On the 3 spades together the two big ones will be the same which is the main power out, which is also the same as the large nut with W on it. Easy to check if you have a multi meter, put it on continuity and you should get a short between all of them. Small spade will be charge light and the other spade in the middle might be rev counter. Whats the alternator off and what output is it? If its high output you would be advised to use both the spades or better still the nut. Remember if its higher output than your old one then you will have to increase the size of the cable to suit or you might catch fire!

jomeo · Post by **jomeo** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:31 am

The alternator is off a 3.9. other than that i have no idea what output it is or what spec.
Is there any way to check without knowing the thing inside out??
It os the current one that has been on the car since we have owned it but we were not sure either the battery was charging rite or the alternator was not charging the battery correctly.

On the subject of cables. our battery is in the boot. would it be wise to run a large diameter cable from the nut if its going the length of the car rather than what looks like a thin cable from the spade??

Many thanks
joe

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:17 am

I'm going to disagree with Marki here:

In the group of 3, the two large ones are the output and should be connected to the battery +ve. The small one is the field winding, which is connected to the charge light. Marki did say all of that part!

The W terminal is the rev counter connection. Normally used on diesels, but sometimes on petrols too.

Not sure about the separate small terminal.

Chris.

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:03 pm

http://www2.qha.com/q-pid/QPID.aspx?user_id=&session=

have a look here

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:33 am

That's a good website Keith!

Chris.

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:45 pm

Hi Chris , how are you keeping ?

yes it's a very handy site i use it quite alot for various bits