Alternators on Racecars

Tag : cable tie mount

For years, the debate has raged on short tracks throughout thecountry-to alternate or not. The alternator itself has undergonesome changes. Of course, race cars have changed. So should you usean alternator? There is not a quick and easy answer.

The alternator is only one part of the electrical system in a racecar. This system begins with the battery. Batteries come in sizesbest judged by cold cranking amp (CCA) capacity. Only secondlyshould batteries be judged by their physical size. A battery ofabout 600 CCA should start your Street Stock.

There is a catch tosomething this easy. If your 12-volt battery has the capacity tostart your engine, the question becomes this: Will it do it allnight and light the fire in your ignition, too?
There are several options. One can be a larger, heavier, higher CCAbattery.

This can have the capacity to still properly fire yourignition at the end of the night. Of course, that depends on howmany times you start the engine and how many other electrical itemsare drawing on the battery. An important item about your battery isits reserve capacity. This is in the dealer's book.

It may or maynot be on the battery. This will tell you how quickly the voltagewill bounce back after the starting load stops. Knowing thisinformation can help you get your dollar's worth in batteries.