High output alternator install notes
 

The high output alternator that our host sells comes with a set of directions which are quite good. The following install notes pertain to an '88 Carrera.

Removal of the old alternator is the same old song and dance. Install is another story. The directions provided by the manufacturer suggest that you should cut, strip and attache the provided electrical connection for the B+ (red) connection so that it will fit on the larger connector on the new alternator. The OEM connector is copper and can be enlarged with a round file and some time. This is what I did.

The blue wire OEM connector is TOO SMALL for the new alternator post and it too must be enlarged. A new connector for this post IS NOT provided in the kit. You will need one that will slide over an 8mm post vice a 6mm with the OEM unit.

There is no D- post but a black screw for the grounding purpose. At least that is how I understood the directions :eek:

Turn the key, the battery light lights up. Turn the motor over and it goes out immediately. Drove for a while. No problems.

However, it does whine like the old one but does not get worse when you turn on the lights. I wonder if that is normal or not. It has the heavy duty bearings. Fan belt deflects just shy of 0.5".

Rotating the old unit when out of the car, you could hear a slight grind and clicking noises...scary.

Hope this helps the next dude...

0.5" deflection is bit large for later cars...although I believe it was "the spec" for earlier. Try a bit more tight ( not too much!) and see if the sound goes away.

---Wil Ferch

It's not squeal from a loose belt...but the book says 0.2" so I am probably a little on the loose side anyway. I guess I'll move a shim from the inside to the outside tomorrow.

Keep tighting that fan belt and overloading that front 6303 bearing
and your whine will quickly return. Have to love it!

Loren:

It already whines with a properly adjusted belt. Now what? This is a brand new Bosch unit. The whine is very slight and maybe I am just hypersensitive to it. No change with addition of an electrical load...which is good.

Seriously, I wouldn't have less than the .50 belt movement. Who cares if it
slips a little when it's cold. It's better to slip a little than have the bearing's life
shortened.

If you disconnect the alt. bulb, the alt. won't start to charge and you can
see whether the whine is the stator electrical whine or a bearing whine.

Ah...I will do that. And you are right, I don't really care too much about a little sqeal when cold, I care about having to replace my alternator again soon!

Learned something new today...love that!

Loosened the belt. Now about .5" deflection...all six shims on the inside. Whistling noise still present. Does not change with change in load. Got to break out the multimeter to check and see if it is charging.

I hate alternators...

Loren:
Before you chastise me again...maybe you should look at what the factory has to say about belt deflection....early vs later cars.

We're not talking about OVER-tightening ( "have to love it !", as you condescendingly say).....we're talking about Porsche factory spec recommendations...

In some cases this has solved the problem...noting that modern belts may be just a wee-bit different in construcution and "give" than the early belts.

Never give anyone the benefit of the doubt, eh?

---Wil Ferch

Word from the producer is that whine with this alternator is normal. Good to go! Factory spec is 0.2" deflection. Wayne says .25 to .5"...I am about 0.4"...working just fine.