DR44 alternator wiring
DR44 alternator wiring 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.
Last edited by 3 window; Jun 20, 2016 at 08:31 AM.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,540
Likes: 207
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?
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 11
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.
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.
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?
Banned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,540
Likes: 207
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?
I'm sorry, I misspoke, should it be the load side (such as another circuit) or the feed side coming from B+?
Banned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,540
Likes: 207
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo 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).
Banned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,540
Likes: 207
Yes, that sounds like a good place to locate it.
Last edited by user 4737373; Jun 20, 2016 at 05:43 PM.