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iTrader: (1)

I've got a DR44 160 amp 4 pin alternator on my 5.3 in m '70 Nova. I've got the main lug hooked up and had pin "B" hooked up as well which came from the gen light circuit (brown wire). With the engine running, the alternator was charging 13.5 volts, but I know that's the default charging rate. Realizing later that I didn't have a bulb in the gen socket, on the dash, I was wondering if I'd see higher than the 13.5 volts with the bulb in place. I haven't had the car running yet since I replaced the bulb. Also, do I need a "sense" wire hooked up to another terminal on the alternator to see 14+ volts? I know some say yes, but where would it come from? "Just from the fuse box" doesn't tell me much. I know there's plenty out there, but I'm looking for experiences.

Toddoky

You're going to need to hook-up/enable the remote sensing wire to the alternator in order to see higher output off the main lug at the alternator. What are the terminals labeled on the back of your alternator 4-wire plug...PLIS, PLFS or something else?

1989GTA

There are two types of regulators for the DR44 alternator. Two pin and four pin. The two pin uses the ECM to control the voltage. The 4 pin is like the old way.

Yes you need to put a bulb in the socket. In my case I used a resistor. For the "S" I ran a wire over to where my ECM picks up its voltage. That was the area I wanted to reference for the voltage to be maintained.

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iTrader: (1)

My terminals are labeled A,B,C,D. Could I just run a wire from the LOAD SIDE of a fuse box circuit back to the alternator plug as my "sensing" wire. Obviously I'd want something that's hot key on and running. I've got an additional busbar wired up for additional circuits I've added. Could I go from the feed side of the busbar back as my sensing wire?

Toddoky

Yes, tapping off the load side of your main fuse box would work as a suitable location. I'm not familiar with the A, B, C, D terminal labeling, so I can't tell you which of those terminals is the equivalent of the 'S" terminal on the CS130 alternators.

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iTrader: (1)

I'm sorry, I misspoke, should it be the load side (such as another circuit) or the feed side coming from B+?

Toddoky

I would tap into the A/C relay circuit, after the fuse, or something similar.

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iTrader: (1)

Got it. Thanks very much for the help.

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iTrader: (1)

Would it be even better to go to the lug that feeds the fuse box, the additional busbar and has the battery cable to it? That should include all the draw the system would see. (Accept the fan which is relay powered directly off the alternator).

Toddoky

Yes, that sounds like a good place to locate it.

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iTrader: (1)

Very good. Thanks again.