[fast times]

I'm not sure of the output of my alt. in amp's its a delco remy, but the battery reads 12.4 volts with the car not running. The alt reads 13.9 with car running but my autometer guage inside the car reads just over12 volts. Didnt check back at the battery with car running yet. The car is a 55 chevy with just the basic electrical draws, electric fan , afr meter in the lighter socket, electric fuel pump. If a component needs an upgrade which would it be? thanks

[DOCTOR DC]

pumps and fans and lights and gobs more.add up ALL your electrical draws, as if everything had to be on at the same time. This is your bottom line. fully charged battery should read 12.6 (6 cells @2.1 per cell) 12.4 is a particuly charged battery. roughly 80%. alt output should be 14.2 to 14.7 running ,if battery is UP and and basic loads are being drawn. anything above nominal bat. voltage would put back into battery, just not enough. remember that the generator is not a charger, its a maintainer. inside gauge should read battery volts no matter where your wired it. Is this an externally regulated generator. yea yea I know people call it a alternator.

[fast times]

Ok, sounds like my alt. not cutting the mustard, could be time to step up.

[ethn_bert]

Don't condem that alternator just yet. 13.9 volts is an acceptable value. Did you measure this under load? Did you measure this at idle? Figure out what type of alternator you have and test it again properly. Once you know the type you can search for the acceptable output voltages. Better yet you can take it to an auto store and have them test it in the vehicle.
For your guage issues it might be the guage or the wiring to the guage.

[SSedan64]

Good Alt. Info here.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...elcoremy.shtml
http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml
Other electrical articles ++
http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

[fast times]

Thanks guys I'll dig deeper, I'm having stalling issue's at low rpm's and have played with the carb and timing for awhile. Is low voltage a possible cause of the motor wanting to stall. It's a 454 ls6 with brodix heads big solid cam 10.5 compression, initial timing at 20*, floats just below sight glass, 3500 Neil chance convertor, crane Hi6 box msd pro billet distributor, in park idle's at 1300rpm drive at 1000. The cam is a solid with 254/263 duration 620/629 lift, I've had the timing locked at 36* before and the motor still feel's like its going to stall and is very rich. The carb was custom built by pro systems, for my motor and combo.