When up grading to an internal regulated alt. What is sufficent and is there such a thing as too much??? Just installed a 6al and electronic dist from Dave. Michael
Mike, Check out this link. The advantage to the internally regulated alternators is that they put out a larger percentage of their rated output in amps, at idle speed. I wouldn't go higher than the 94 amp alternator suggested in the article. If you are concerned with originality, stay with the external regulator as Jim stated. http://www.buickperformance.com/alternat.htm
You really need extra current only if you have electric fan, a/c, bitchen stereo, power windows, and the tissue dispenser all running at the same time. Of all these, electric fans really pull the current - probably at least 10 amps per fan.
Jucing up the engine wiring harness The lights in our 70 GS always got dim in the course of sitting at a traffic light with the A/C and wipers going. Never liked this so had the original 56 AMP (at least that was stamped on the unit) alternator rewound to produce 83 amps at 3500 RPM, at a local shop. Then while changing out the resistor wire in the engine wiring harness, I also added a twelve gage wire directly from the alternator output to the battery terminal on the starter solenoid without a fusible link. This has really helped out the sluggish power windows, but maybe that was because the battery is now fully charged all the time. If I was to do it again, I would probably add another fusible link with a third 10 gage wire to break up the power feed splice in the middle of the harness. Pulling heavy current through a fusible link results in considerable voltage losses. Additional heavy load accessories should definitely be run through a separate 10 gage wire with a fusible link from the battery terminal on the starter solenoid. You could use relays triggered from the ignition circuit if key on power only is needed. I upgraded the wire for the ignition to 12 gage and spliced in a lead with an empty connector near the plug behind the fuze box, to supply extra loads such as relays, a 6AL box or controller for a lock up torque convertor.
