Hi All,

I have noticed that under high electrical loads (high beam + hign fan setting + flashers etc) that there is a faint glow from the alternator warning light, sometimes. I checked and rotated the fuses but no change.

Have been condsidering installing 100W driving lamps but can't see how the system would cope with the extra load without modification.

Am I up for a new alternator? What dire consquences will occur if I replaced the charging circuit 8 amp fuse with a 16 amp??? I read an interesting article for a UK volvo sight suggesting that the running of heavier wiring to the headlamps will significantly improve their performance. Anyone had any experience with this?

Greatful for all thoughts, experiences, opinions and warnings.

Thanks

Laurie

/// Don's advise is on point. Dirty joints are more important than the size of the wire. There are tables of resistance per foot and hunderd feet for copper wire. One gauge will not make much difference. to double the capacity you must quadruple the crossection area of the wire. Over years the crimps on the end of the wires can corode and I suspect that the changing of wire size accidentally increased the output by cleaning up the end crimps (new plugs etc). Toward this end you might remove the Fast-on connectors and solder them to the wires. Even the two and three wire plugs can be dissassembled and soldered. Look at the plug and you will see a small tang that locks the Fast-on in the plastic or nylon plug. you can file a 50 cent screwdriver to make a tool that will depress that tang and allow dissassembley.

The other item, the alternator, can be tested almost any where. Standard battery checks normally include alternator output test.

Belts ---very important--- Energy is required in to get energy out. As the demand increases the alternator becomes very very hard to turn and if the belts are worn they will slip. Just tightening the belt may not help. But with the engine off (repeat off) go to the alternator and see if you can rotate the alternator shaft by pushing on one of the fan fins. If you can replace the belts -- both at the same time. Belts work by bulging the sides of the "V" as they are bent around the pulley. As the "V" wears down and there is no bulge the grip fails.

Faint glow usually means the alternator has marginal output. I'd first check the fuse clips for corrosion, oxidation, and tightness.

Then I'd check the alternator brushes. On an '84 they're probably worn to a nub.

Finally, I'd confirm that all the alternator connections, including the ground, were solid and tight.

Also be sure the belts are tight......

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Laurie- check out

http://www.vclassics.com/archive/relays.htm

Relays, relays, relays

Shayne.