AbeFM

iTrader: (3)

As best I know, I'm the only person to run the 99+ alternator off a mopar box. I've shared with people, but has anyone got it working?

Per my instructions here, or tell me how you did it:
AbeFM : photos : Altenator Control box from Mopar- powered by SmugMug

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Well lets see. I read you did it and it worked. Then I've read at least one (I think two) cases where someone else tried it and it didn't work. One case you even built the damn thing. So i haven't got in a hurry to try it....

But with this done, does the alternator light still work like normal?

y8s

iTrader: (8)

i ran the jason cuadra alternator control. which i guess is the same. but was free to me.

AbeFM

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the vote of confidence. That's why I'm asking. Here's what happened - someone tried to do it by using the wrong box and hooked it up wrong. Then, later, they got the right box, hooked it up wrong (verified), when it didn't work, they started putting 12 volts on every wire, and driving around to see which worked best.

Then I built a set up, for someone who... electronics doesn't come naturally to. I sent him the box the other guy used (presumably fried) with explicit instructions not to use it. He then passed it on to someone else who didn't receive this warning, and they tried it, and I'm assuming there was something wrong with the control box.

It did work for me without any fiddling, and it worked for countless chevy and ford guys. So I don't see why it shouldn't work for other mazda people. So I'm HOPING someone has.


Matt: Could you explain this mod you speak of? Seems like it might be a better way to go if you can just build it.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

I remember you have a "write up", but it's not a let-me-hold-your-hand writeup, more like some pics and a couple paragraphs. I'll dig it up again. I'm game to try it. Right now I've been letting the stock ECU drive the tach and run the alternator. Now that the tach isn't right, the alternator is the only thing it's doing. So if I could get rid of that, I'd ditch the stock wiring laying on my engine completely (I built a separate wiring harness for the engine and MS, so I have two under the hood right now...)


EDIT: Writeup: https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t21621/

Interested in what Jason did.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

i can't tell you much about the circuit other than it requires power and takes voltage as an input and regulates the alternator as an output. if I find it ever, I will look and see what it is made of.

AbeFM

iTrader: (3)

As much as I can, I'd love to help! My first advice is just check the currents and voltages everywhere. Mine has been flawless, so I really can't complain. It might be nice if it would charge to 15 or 16V instead of 14.7 or whatever, but hey, I'm pretty happy with it. I really would like to see what happens.

Hmmm, maybe I can get that other box back, to see what it does. if it puts out 4V then we know it was a bad/ruined box.

mikeflys1

iTrader: (2)

I tried it, using your writeup, and could never get it to work. The box put out the right voltage, it was going to the right terminal on the alternator but it just wouldn't make it charge. I eventually just got an na alternator.

AbeFM

iTrader: (3)

Ok, thanks a bunch, that's very useful. I'm going to look through my install, see if maybe I wrote it up wrong!!

JasonC SBB

I designed a wee little circuit, built one and embedded it in y8s's Hydra box.

AbeFM

iTrader: (3)

That does have me interested... The mopar unit works, but it's large.