Been having a voltage problem that I'm having trouble tackling...My alternator isn't charging the system. The voltage just steadily drops off until 10volts and then the ignition cuts out. The alternator seemed to charge fine until I turned the motor 8500rpms...and it cut out shortly after. I took off the alternator and took it to Advance and it made power when they energized it through the one wire lead that goes to it. What I need to know is what voltage I need to send to the alternator to energize it...is it a ground or 12v power. I would look it up on all-data but my pw isn't working right now.... Also do you guys think that I may have hurt the alternator and its ability to charge @ various RPMs...Thanks

 

I do not think you hurt the alternator at that engine speed. The alternator is a simple device. In may cases, energizing one of the regulator connectors will activate it. In fact, I have seen that done permanently in many cars without a problem. I think you lost voltage to the alternator by that I mean the wire that goes to the regulator may not be energize. With a multi-meter, make sure that you have the battery connected to the nut on the back of it. Then verify voltages on each of the two tabs on top of it. Check it with and without the ignition on. With the ignition on, one of them should show 12V if it does not then check for a fuse somewhere. Im sorry I cannot tell you which of the tabs should be energized as I do not clearly remember. One of the two goes to the idiot light on the dash and the other can be called the "On/Off" tab. It is this tab that I have seen jumped to the nut on the back of the alternator.
I hope this helps, I realize it is clear as mud but as I said, there is not much to an alternator.
good luck
jd

 

the exciter wire should have 12 volts. you may have burned out a fusible link. fusible link is a fuse in line of the power wires that burn when a short happens. they look like a bump in the wire. check these links
http://shbox.com/1/fusible.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/starter_charging_95.jpg