Topic: 79 Charging system blues

[Skinny_Pedal]

So my 79 has finally decided to give me the 1st gen charging system curse. Right now its overcharging. The alternator and regulator are new. According to alldata for an 82...thats all there is to replace. Anyone have some experience with the first gen charging system?

So tonight I worked on it some more. Something that tripped me out is when I unplugged the power to the alt from the battery that wire voltage went to like 33v. With everything hooked up correctly I can take my powerprobe and apply power to the F circuit(black w/white stripe off alt) and get the alt to overcharge again. I have to good regulators at the moment to switch from. The alt is new and even had it tested multiple times good.

[axled89]

how new are they like today new or a couple days new???    maybe the alt is just screwed up some other way than the tester can see.   is it a cheap napa brand??

[brainlessfool]

good ground from motor to batt?

body to batt?

[Skinny_Pedal [OP]]

yeah I redid all the factory grounds in 4gauge. The alt and regulator are orielly's special, that are new from last weekend

[axled89]

 

[79coyotefrg]

why do you have 82 regulators??  79's need 79 regulators if they are 80 and up they will over charge and / or undercharge

79's had 40 amp alternators/regulators

[Skinny_Pedal [OP]]

I don't. I have 5 wire regulators. My factory harness is a 5 wire setup. I was using alldata as an example cause that only goes back to 82

[crazykooter]

I have an 82 which also has the weaker alt 40 amp and have had issues with it as well but I read a nice post somewhere about wiring in a second gen alt which is 60 amps and it has an internal voltage reg.  It stops a lot of odd problems like this.  If I can find the write up on it ill post it. 

[Skinny_Pedal [OP]]

Double checked my fusible link. It was good. Tested continuity to the alt, that was good. Warrenteed another regulator.....Overcharges

[possume22]

just swap the 20r alt bracket out with one from a 22r get a newer alt anything with a 22r i believe will work hook one wire up be done with it the only downfall is your alt light and gauge wont work just have hook a volt gauge up

[Skinny_Pedal [OP]]

Update. So with new alt and reg. This alt has been tested multiple times. Start the truck up, the battery light stays on. look at my meter that I have hooked to the back of the alt and ground. The voltage just very slowly rises...until in it gets to 16+v and overcharges. My connections are good and solid. Any ideas? I've been through 4 regulators now.