Since 1991 when I bought my 1980 SC Targa it has only stranded me twice where I needed a jump for a dead battery. The first time was in the mid 90's and it was due to a failing exciter diode in the alternator. I rebuilt the alternator and had no issues until three months ago. The second time there were no indications of trouble (no fault indications with the alt light on the dash). Troubleshot the problem to a failed exciter diode again. The diodes I use are 1N4001 and cost a few bucks at Radio shack. This time I decided to go old school and add a combo VDO Volt/Amp gauges where the ash tray use to be. I used 6 AWG stranded wire for the added circuit and a 30 amp line fuse for protection. The circuit covers the load minus the starter current. The starter draws +60 amps when in use and there is no reason to monitor that high current draw. Now I can monitor the battery voltage and the charging system in real time. I know that there might be comments of a possible fire hazard and overkill using an Amp gauge and have weighed the benefits verses hazards. I have the technical capability to do a safe installation and have protected any potential chaff points and used cable tiestraps where ever possible. I used 6 AWG stranded because of its higher current rating instead of 8 AWG. Below is a pic of the gauges installed and the three exciter diodes before replacement. The middle diode was the one that failed.
05-13-2017, 05:54 AM
