Battery drain with new alternator?

[pfleiderer]

Hey there, I've got a 72 Charger SE and I'm having a problem with the charging system.
I replaced the alternator two weeks ago, and this weekend my car stalled out on the highway at night, I had to use a jumper box to get home.
When I disconnect the alternator I can run fine off the battery alone for a few hours, but with it hooked up the battery dies in about ten minutes of driving.
First thought would be that the new alt is bad too, but I got it and the battery checked at advanced auto and they both came up good.
I also tried a new voltage regulator which doesn't seem to have helped, although I don't have a multimeter to rule it out.
Any other ideas? Things I can check?

I've never had to post here before but it's been a great source for looking at other peoples problems and I appreciate the help y'all give. Thanks

[John_Kunkel]

Welcome to the board.

I doubt if the typical parts store alternator tester will show that kind of problem, they only test the output. Carefully remove the large battery wire from the alternator lug and check for a spark when you reconnect it...if you get a spark there is an internal short in the alternator. If you don't get a spark, set your multimeter on the milliamps setting and hook it between the alternator lug and the battery wire...any current draw means an internal short. 

[68neverlate]

Hey there, I've got a 72 Charger SE and I'm having a problem with the charging system.
I replaced the alternator two weeks ago, and this weekend my car stalled out on the highway at night, I had to use a jumper box to get home.
When I disconnect the alternator I can run fine off the battery alone for a few hours, but with it hooked up the battery dies in about ten minutes of driving.
First thought would be that the new alt is bad too, but I got it and the battery checked at advanced auto and they both came up good.
I also tried a new voltage regulator which doesn't seem to have helped, although I don't have a multimeter to rule it out.
Any other ideas? Things I can check?

I've never had to post here before but it's been a great source for looking at other peoples problems and I appreciate the help y'all give. Thanks

Welcome Pfleiderer!   

Couple of questions... prior to having to replace the alternator, was the charging system all operating OK?  What happened to make you replace the alternator?  All stock wiring?   

If all was operating correctly before you replaced the alternator and if your current problem is not the reason why you replaced the alternator in the first place, I'm with John... internal short on the alternator.   

[pfleiderer]

Hey there, I've got a 72 Charger SE and I'm having a problem with the charging system.
I replaced the alternator two weeks ago, and this weekend my car stalled out on the highway at night, I had to use a jumper box to get home.
When I disconnect the alternator I can run fine off the battery alone for a few hours, but with it hooked up the battery dies in about ten minutes of driving.
First thought would be that the new alt is bad too, but I got it and the battery checked at advanced auto and they both came up good.
I also tried a new voltage regulator which doesn't seem to have helped, although I don't have a multimeter to rule it out.
Any other ideas? Things I can check?

I've never had to post here before but it's been a great source for looking at other peoples problems and I appreciate the help y'all give. Thanks

Welcome Pfleiderer!   

Couple of questions... prior to having to replace the alternator, was the charging system all operating OK?  What happened to make you replace the alternator?  All stock wiring?   

If all was operating correctly before you replaced the alternator and if your current problem is not the reason why you replaced the alternator in the first place, I'm with John... internal short on the alternator.   

Thanks for the quick reply guys.
I replaced the last alternator because it was also dead. Not sure why it died, I didn't really question it at the time, just put a new one in.
As far as the wiring, I'm realty not sure what's original and what's not. I did however put new female connectors on the two field wires and battery wire going into the alternator (I broke one of the old ones when I was taking it out). They look like they're crimped on fine but like I said I don't have a meter to check them, I think that will be my next investment.

John: Thanks for the advice, I didn't get a spark when I reconnected the wire. I'll try the other test as soon as I get myself a multimeter.

[John_Kunkel]

In the absence of a meter you might try hooking a low-watt 12 volt bulb between the alternator lug and its wire, a current draw might light the bulb faintly (check in the dark). Also check the new terminal you crimped on for any contact with the cased. Is the plastic insulator under the wire ring terninal still intact? 

[Cooter]

It still amazes me that the parts store has the proper equipment ot properly "Test" a charging system...