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Alternator suddenly red hot?

Old Jul 20, 2019 | 07:31 PM
  #81  
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Originally Posted by sixshooter
As a reply to you and DKM:
Not resistance across the coil, unfortunately. That's the 30 to 87 resistance while contacted.

And I didn't grab the new alternator to check if warm.
That's bananas.

Got a link to the relays you're using? Did you use your clamp meter to take a current measurement before the relay?
Old Jul 20, 2019 | 07:35 PM
  #82  
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Originally Posted by SpartanSV
That's bananas.

Got a link to the relays you're using? Did you use your clamp meter to take a current measurement before the relay?
Yes, and it was very similar to the reading closer to the fan, to my recollection. There was some slight fluctuation while running so it would be tough to be exact, but I can try it out tomorrow.

Here's the relays:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IX7NV0C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_12ZiDbTNTNRE5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IX7NV0C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_12ZiDbTNTNRE5
Old Jul 20, 2019 | 08:11 PM
  #83  
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If the current measurement before and after the relay is similar then you can't have 151 ohms across the contacts.

I just measured a very similar relay at 0.2 Ohms across the contacts.
Old Jul 20, 2019 | 09:26 PM
  #84  
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I'll try a different multimeter tomorrow.
Old Jul 20, 2019 | 09:46 PM
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You my just not be using the meter properly. It sounds as if you are trying to read ohms across the contacts while the fan is on. That won't work. It is confusing the Multimeter.

The correct thing is to measure the amps, and then also measure the voltage drop across the contacts. Then you use Ohm's law to the resistance: Ohms = Voltage / Amperes

DNM
Old Jul 20, 2019 | 10:34 PM
  #86  
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Originally Posted by DNMakinson
You my just not be using the meter properly. It sounds as if you are trying to read ohms across the contacts while the fan is on. That won't work. It is confusing the Multimeter.

The correct thing is to measure the amps, and then also measure the voltage drop across the contacts. Then you use Ohm's law to the resistance: Ohms = Voltage / Amperes

DNM
You're right, I was touching 30 + 87 while the fan was engaged. I didn't realize that would make the difference to anything. For some reason I didn't think the meter was supposed to be bothered by things like that.

I just realized it was DNM and I put DKM earlier. My apologies. I certainly knew there was a K in it but it was in the middle of your last name.
Old Jul 20, 2019 | 11:46 PM
  #87  
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DMMs use a very small current source to create a voltage across the resisance being measured. If there is already a voltage there, it will muck the reading. I am glad to hear this is the reason for the reading you reported.
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 12:12 AM
  #88  
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Originally Posted by sixshooter
You're right, I was touching 30 + 87 while the fan was engaged. I didn't realize that would make the difference to anything. For some reason I didn't think the meter was supposed to be bothered by things like that.

I just realized it was DNM and I put DKM earlier. My apologies. I certainly knew there was a K in it but it was in the middle of your last name.
No worries. We’re just trying to get you to the Gap.
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 06:37 AM
  #89  
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Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
DMMs use a very small current source to create a voltage across the resisance being measured. If there is already a voltage there, it will muck the reading. I am glad to hear this is the reason for the reading you reported.
Aha! I'll measure it with the contacts closed and the high current leads removed.

This is how the new wiring was done without a fuse holder. Thankfully it runs much cooler than the store bought holder.
Attached Thumbnails Alternator suddenly red hot?-20190720_174122.jpg   Alternator suddenly red hot?-20190720_180008.jpg  
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by DNMakinson
You my just not be using the meter properly. It sounds as if you are trying to read ohms across the contacts while the fan is on. That won't work. It is confusing the Multimeter.
Why are you the only one who knew this, lol?

Bench testing the relay in the closed position with no high current leads attached yields an ohm reading of 0.1 to 0.0 on the same meter.

I'll try doing the voltage drop and amperage measurement method you described in a bit.
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 02:52 PM
  #91  
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25.1 amps inline

High current poles on relay during operation:
14.00v
14.02v

What does it all mean?
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 03:00 PM
  #92  
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Relay is fine

Edit: now measure voltage from relay output to fan input.

3 measurements
Relay out to chassis
Fan in the chassis
Relay out to fan in (mV scale)

All with fan running and associated current measurements
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 04:27 PM
  #93  
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Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Relay is fine

Edit: now measure voltage from relay output to fan input.

3 measurements
Relay out to chassis 13.95
Fan in the chassis 13.85
Relay out to fan in (mV scale) 115.0mV

All with fan running and associated current measurements
Relay out to chassis 13.95
Fan in the chassis 13.85
Relay out to fan in (mV scale) 115.0mV
At 25.8 amps measured at fan input.
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 04:29 PM
  #94  
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Length of wire between relay and fan?
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Length of wire between relay and fan?
18-24 inches I'm guessing. I'm on a run for parts right now.
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 05:15 PM
  #96  
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Pick up a 40A fuse while you are at it. The relay/wire situatuon sounds fine.

Do you have a thermocouple or an IR temp gauge?
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 05:35 PM
  #97  
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Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Pick up a 40A fuse while you are at it. The relay/wire situatuon sounds fine.

Do you have a thermocouple or an IR temp gauge?
I have both. Thermocouple with multimeter was how I measured temperature earlier in thread.
Old Jul 21, 2019 | 05:44 PM
  #98  
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Great. Take temperatures of the components in question after heat soak, as well as other (preferably like materials/colors) surfaces in close proximity to the areas of interest.
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