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fifty9singlecab
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004
Posts: 70
Location: Scottsville KY.
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 Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 6:05 pm Post subject: I just can't figure out why? |
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| I purchased a rail buggy and it has a toggle switch behind the drivers seat that is wired to the alternator. The alternator is also wired to the switch/battery. Why do I have this toggle switch. If on its hot all the time, (lights up) even if the key is off. The previous owner said the guy he got it from stated to leave it on when not in use to keep the battery charged. (I'm not a smart man but that makes zero sense. I can see it being wired to be able to cut it off to kill the alternator while racing or working on it but it's not wired that way. I just can't figure out what it's purpose even is? Thanks for any help. |
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Aerindel
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2015
Posts: 459
Location: Western Montana
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| Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't figure out why? |
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Just a theory, but when I was building my buggy, for a while I had a switch on the alternator wire just to make a spark and start it charging since at the time I had no alternator light available and the alternator requires something to draw power to energize the field and start it charging.
This was just for a couple weeks while building the harness until I set it up properly with a light.
_________________
Homemade woods/street, bug out rail. IRS, Balljoint front end. 1967 1600cc DP, Weber 32/36 progressive, tri-mil quiet pack. Rear only cutting brakes.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630046 |
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liquidrush
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2018
Posts: 588
Location: MO
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 7:29 am Post subject: Re: I just can't figure out why? |
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| Strip it and wire it correctly, there's all kinds of schematics here. |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20379
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 7:31 am Post subject: Re: I just can't figure out why? |
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Basically its a disconnect to keep alternator from initialize and charging....
In a racing situation in theory it releases 2 maybe 3 horsepower to be applied to wheels, but its sort of a joke.... Its been tried and abandon by many...
Best you can do is wire D+ terminal on alternator proper through small lamp and be happy forever...
If buggy/bug/Baja has VW speedometer it may have ALT lamp provision in it but maybe not wired....
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“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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fifty9singlecab
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004
Posts: 70
Location: Scottsville KY.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't figure out why? |
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| It's wired just like Dale M's picture except there's another hot wire from the alternator to this toggle switch. I'm gonna remove it completely as I can't see it's purpose at all. Thanks everyone for your help. |
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