The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I am continuing to have wiring problems. i would like to start a survey to see how people to continue to upgrade your electrical system. thanks alot!

I have upgraded my alternater to the 80 amp unit.
Added electric fuel pump with low pressure safety shutoff switch, had an alarm professionally installed, optima battery, cd player. Nothing else other than that.
One time my car would not start, no headlights, nothing....Turned out to be corrosion on some terminals on the firewall wire connection.

What kind of wiring problems are you having?

No brake light. That's a problem if you're driving! Tony Miller and I worked over the phone to solve it, as it was a grounding problem. The screws in the taillight bezel needed to come out and retightened to get a good ground connection. Low cost, but trying all the other alternatives proved usesless. I guess a 32 year old connection needed some change!

Bosch 140 amp, internal regulator alternator, AC Delco maintenance free battery (big mother), Halogen headlamps (superb improvement), relay to suit. No more external regulator (mounted on firewall), installed electronic ignition also.
Discovered a bad connection on the main harness under the dash, for the starter feed. Bypassed this with solid wire - no more problems.
Other than the above, all is original and works fine. Very happy I upgraded to a Bosch alternator with internal regulator - better quality, more powerful and replacement units/parts are readily available anywhere here.

How does the alternator look? Is it anything close to stock looking, or does it matter?

I have a dvd screen, dvd player, a head unit that pulls alot of power, electric fans, electric fuel pump, fog lites and a very big amplifier for my speakers. all of my accessories are on relays to help out a little bit. i just want it to work normal. I am paranoid about this subject and i dont want to mess anything up. i have already had enough trouble.

my only stipulations are that the alternator fit on the stock brackets because i have the march billet mounting brackets. i could put a new style alt. on there but i couldn't use my brackets. i dont want to do that. as far as the reagulator goes and stuff i dont care. the look doesnt matter either but my options are limited because of wanting to use those billet brackets arent they?

Looks like an alternator - sorry but I had to do it....

Seriously - it looks different to the stock email type Chrysler alternator - doesn't have the finned housing, considerably smaller in diameter, yet deeper, more robust and the regulator is attached to the rear. I'll take a pic, when it's all back together in the engine bay. The only mod we had to make to accommodate it, was to change the pulley (slightly smaller) to clear a bracket. Charges like a trooper and less wiring to worry about too.
I have the original alternator, but the bearings are sad and I've heard from a number of auto electricians that the Chrysler ones are not the best in the world, thus my choice of Bosch for the alternator and electronic ignition and Hella for the headlights.

Hey Von - when are you getting the microwave and bar fridge installed? It's no wonder your little alternator is struggling. By the sounds of it mate, you need about a 250 amps alternator and an inverter too.

Seriously, the 140 amp alternator I have, only just copes with the current draw of my halogen headlamps (65 watt low beams and 150 watt highs) and my stereo (high volume) at the same time, so your set-up if used at night with all your lights on too, will fry the standard 55 amp alternator. Do yourself a favour and see an auto electrician to build a monster alternator for all your goodies.
I have no idea what a march billet bracket is or looks like, but when converting to the Bosch unit I have, we did have to make a few mods albeit simple ones (deeper spacer for mounting bolts etc). Maybe an alternator off a Dodge Ram or other pick-up truck would do the trick?

There is a guy over here can make you up a set of custom alloy brackets if you want. This is one of his. He makes the pulleys too.

Oh, what love on the message board!!

Could I get a part no. for that Bosch alt.?

About the March brackets, it is a direct replacement for the stock but it is billit so it is pretty. no other benefits. i would like to keep it becuause i paid $100 for it.

I think it is wise to be a bit cautious with 100+ amp alternators. You may damage the wiring or the alternator gauge. Another thing to consider is that the terminals in the bulkhead connector will not be able to handle all that punch. What I am saying is that you likely have to update more than just the alternator.

For details on the alternator or billet brackets in the photo above contact Trev at mopar@tesco.net