Posted by Todd Wilson on Sunday, June 08, 2003 at 10:41PM :
In Reply to: 77pw electrical system question posted by Jeff on Sunday, June 08, 2003 at 7:30PM :
Might double check the grounds on the vehicle. I fought a bad ground on my 74 D200. I ended up putting in a grounding block on the innner fender and then run ground wires from various locations to this block. Your big negative cable to the engine block can sometimes get corroded. Also the smaller chassis ground can get corroded. Things perked up again after I did this.
You may also want to check your idle. You may be running a little lower idle then you should and the alternator isnt putting out its proper amount because its spinning too low.
As far as running without a battery I would say this is hit and miss. Electronic ignition is rather touchy on having the proper voltage. In theory it should run without a battery. And if it doesnt then this would show a sign of a weak alternator. I have never had good luck with store bought alternators. I always have mine rebuilt on the bench at the local auto electric place.
Todd