Re: [alfa] come again (was bigger capacity Spider alternator)

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Tess:

B+ just refers to those wires that are directly connected to the positive 
side of the car's main power circuit.  That means the alternator output 
terminal, and the positive terminals on the starter and battery.

An 8-gauge wire is larger than a 10, and since I wanted larger, and that's 
what I had on-hand, that's what I used.  A 6-gauge would have been OK, too, 
and my wife's Volvo with its 125 amp alternator has a B+ wire about that size.

On the Bosch Spider's (and Milano's and 164's) the VR (you guessed right 
about that meaning the voltage regulator) is built-in to the 
alternator.  It's easily removable by loosening two small screws, and it 
comes out with the brushes attached.  The Vick AutoSport adjustable 
regulators are <$25, and a good upgrade IMO.  14.5 V is within the range 
that a battery and the car's circuitry will tolerate, and better allows for 
the voltage drop in the car's wiring.  With too low a starting point, let's 
say 13V, you'll run the risk of increasing the current flow through the 
circuits, or having some things, like power windows or wipers, just operate 
poorly.  (Fred was also a proponent of the adjustable VR's, and used to 
sell them).

Also, because of the larger voltage drop in the original wiring, I don't 
know that my Spider's battery was ever fully charged by driving the 
car.  That's no longer an issue.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's

At 05:47 PM 5/21/2004, you wrote:

> Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 09:21:32 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Tessie McMillan <tessmc@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] come again (was bigger capacity Spider alternator)
>
> Apologies to the crowd, but this went by me a little fast. I am interested
> in the following discussion but am at a loss as to how to interpret some
> of the terminology. Can you clarify just a bit more (off-line is OK if not
> appropriate for the entire digest.) My questions:
>         B+? which wire is that and what does the "B" mean?
>         8-gauge: how did you determine what replacement wire to use?
>         Where is the voltage regulator (the only thing I can think "VR"
> stands for) located, and what's the purpose of an adjustable one?
>
> You are right; the voltage totally sucks when compared to an early Spider,
> but I didn't realize one could do anything about it and I'd like to!
>
> This is of course painfully ironic since without a kill switch my spider
> eats through batteries like they were disposable...
>
> Tess
> p.s. It's on these occasions that I really miss Fred...
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