PsRumors
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But would it be safe for the glowplugs?
Effects of high amp alternators on the GP system
- Thread starter Peroni
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But would it be safe for the glowplugs?
Tom S
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Is it even possible to adjust the voltage regulator in the alternator?
Peroni
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We'll find out I got an inquiry into DC Pwr. Eng. asking if the regulator can be adjusted on their alternators.
Charles
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Can you just have the glow plugs turn off once the engine is running? I have often wished my glow plugs were simply on a push button like most machinery.
Tom S
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Interesting idea that I like.
Bugman
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You could either set it up through a relay or just put a bypass switch in the cab
Garbage_Mechanic
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Somewhere I have some information on a kit (from IH I think) to add a water temp switch to the glow plug system, cuting off GP's above 120* water temp. The glow plug programming is so much better on Jody's tuning than it was on ALF4 that I never worried about it after the chip.
JCart
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Hey G Mechanic.... good idea. It's the small post(s) (is one positive from PCM and the other negative?) that provide power to activate the GP relay (mines a Stancor) right? If so in theory all you would have to do is hook the water temp switch between the small power wire or ground wire (is what I would do) to interrupt sig above 120* Even think there is a spare hole on water pump too right?
jrc
Tom S
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The PCM supplies the ground activate the relay.
Glow Plug Deactivation Kit (opens at 115 degrees coolant temp)
(International) 1831142C91
Glow Plug Deactivation Kit (opens at 115 degrees coolant temp)
(International) 1831142C91
Peroni
Member
We seem to be going off course a bit. I'm not looking to modify the gp circuit adding switches or the $125 1831142C91 deactivation kit.
I should stress that the cycling does not happen each and every time I start the truck. It's only when the outside temps are ~45° or less and only when the engine is cold or barely warm. In warmer weather the plugs are not on long enough to be an issue.
I have tried to find info on how the ambulance trucks handle the gp system since they run larger alternators than even my upgraded unit. I'm guessing they likely don't use TDE1 programming.
With no response from DC Pwr yet, I think I'll ask my tuner if he can rework the gp duty cycle slightly.
I should stress that the cycling does not happen each and every time I start the truck. It's only when the outside temps are ~45° or less and only when the engine is cold or barely warm. In warmer weather the plugs are not on long enough to be an issue.
I have tried to find info on how the ambulance trucks handle the gp system since they run larger alternators than even my upgraded unit. I'm guessing they likely don't use TDE1 programming.
With no response from DC Pwr yet, I think I'll ask my tuner if he can rework the gp duty cycle slightly.
PsRumors
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Is it possible the ambulance package does not raise the volts over the factory settings?
Seems to me you wouldn't want the extra voltage and the fix should come from DC PWR
Seems to me you wouldn't want the extra voltage and the fix should come from DC PWR
Charles
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I thought everyone made it clear that the PCM is turning them off because of a voltage out-of-range situation. Assuming that the voltage regulators are actually functioning on the dual alternator systems the ambulances are running, then they wouldn't be having any glow plug system problems. So I doubt there's anything to be found there.
It would seem you may simply need to correct your overcharging condition if you wish to keep the PCM from turning the glow plugs off in an effort to keep them from burning up with excessive system voltage. What ever happened to something like a good old 13.8 volts or so?
The amperage capacity of your alternator or alternators isn't going to make your glow plug system go crazy. But apparently a miscalibrated voltage regulator sure will. Plus it's hard on the batteries anyway.
Why not just fix the problem at the source... why is your alternator overcharging? Fix that and everything else takes care of itself, your glow plugs don't burn up and fall on top of the pistons and you don't boil all the solution out of your batteries.
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DZL JIM
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Both my '96 and '97 put out the same volts, about 14.1 - 14.2.
Only the '97 with PHP Stage-1 TDE1 tunes does as the OP describes.
My '96 with PHP Custom Stage-3 tunes does not, and never has.
Both stock alternators, stock gp systems, etc.
Leads me to think there's not an electrical issue, rather something in the tuning.
:shrug:
Only the '97 with PHP Stage-1 TDE1 tunes does as the OP describes.
My '96 with PHP Custom Stage-3 tunes does not, and never has.
Both stock alternators, stock gp systems, etc.
Leads me to think there's not an electrical issue, rather something in the tuning.
:shrug:
PsRumors
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Are the stock alternators putting out 14.x volts with the GP system energized?
My stock alternator puts out 14.2 volts except when the GPs are energized. During that time the system is well below 14 volts.
DZL JIM
Member
Yes, and that's when the '97 cycles the gp's on and off.
It's below 14.2 on start-up and within 30 seconds or so it climbs to where it starts the cycling.
The '96 shows the same voltage behavior, yet no gp cycles.
Have you installed new gp's lately?
I'm wondering if that's a big variable there. Maybe different brands have diff draws causing this. There was a thread at PSN a little while ago, this gp behavior is pretty common.
If it was an electrical issue, I would assume that if I swapped alternators between the 2 trucks the issue would follow the alternator??
It's below 14.2 on start-up and within 30 seconds or so it climbs to where it starts the cycling.
The '96 shows the same voltage behavior, yet no gp cycles.
Have you installed new gp's lately?
I'm wondering if that's a big variable there. Maybe different brands have diff draws causing this. There was a thread at PSN a little while ago, this gp behavior is pretty common.
If it was an electrical issue, I would assume that if I swapped alternators between the 2 trucks the issue would follow the alternator??
PsRumors
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I have new GPs and harness. There is enough draw to keep the volts below 14 until the relay turns off.
Tom S
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I tested two vehicles today for charging voltage one was a Taurus with a brand new alternator and the second a new Impala. Both of them put out 14.5 volts at start up +/- .1 volts.
Is it possible that having a couple of non-working glowplugs would cause the overvoltage. I put a 130 amp load on both of those alternators and it would suck the voltage down a couple of volts instantly.
I bet both of those alternators put out less voltage once they are fully heated up.
DZL JIM
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What brand gp's?
PsRumors
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GPs & harness are ford and the relay is a stancor
PsRumors
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With key on, engine off, and cold the volts drop to 10.1. Once the truck is started my volts come up to 11.1 and stay there until the GPs turn off at which time the volts come up to 14.3.
