Voltage spike...?

[454Man]

Most parts houses won't carry SXL/GXL wire, because it's more costly and many techs don't know the difference.  GPT or PVC thermoplastic insulated wire may be all you'll find.  But, you can order SXL/GXL:  Del City or Terminal Supply Company, etc.

Hey y'all I ended up just getting the welding cable #1 and I had 4 gauge power wire around to use for the alternator charging wire. I'll take pics in a few

[454Man]

Good news and bad...good-wiring  and and charging issues solved :-) thanks to all. Now the bad. As I embark on my 3 mile test ride AC ah blast. I notice the truck stats to run ruff........ Kinda likes can love went flat :-(
good I get it back to the house. Turn it off pull the valve cover and no flat lobes :-) hooray. . IM gonna pull the plugs and check. I when on my trip I pulled over to a gas station and noticed white/blue smoke coming from the pass side tail pipe. . When I started up after getting back to the house turf running and smoke were gone. Idk one thing or another

[454Man]

Ok all is well guess I never connected one of my spark plug wires all the way and bumped it loose while putting the new wires on today. Now one more issue. Flickering head lights and dash lights.. New head light switch in from day one of the build. I've got my ground covered idk on this one any ideas? Thanks y'all

[bd]

...Flickering head lights and dash lights....

Any more details?  When did it start?

[454Man]

Kinda happened over time. I just thought it was related to the charging issue. Is there supposed to be a ground wire of the head light switch? Or some where close by.I've searched but nothing good yet

[Irish_Alley]

when does this happen? idle or driving? do you notice a voltage drop when this happens?

[bd]

The headlamp switch grounds through its frame connection to the dash, but that ground is just for the dome lamp.  Do the headlights and dash lamps flicker in unison?

Connect your voltmeter between the alternator output post and ground to measure the voltage as the lights flicker.  Is the voltage fluctuating, too?

[454Man]

Yes they do flicker in unison I'll check the alternator tomorrow. My truck is loud very loud :-)

[bd]

Check the alternator voltage under the same electrical load with the headlights ON and flickering.  Where did you tie the charge lead and #2 regulator lead into the vehicle wiring?

[454Man]

Ilk check the voltage on lunch break. I haven't tied the regulator wire it onto the charging post yet.but will do

[454Man]

Volt drop is .02 across the charging wire from the alternator

[bd]

...Connect your voltmeter between the alternator output post and ground....

You need to determine if alternator output is fluctuating, so measure the output voltage while the lights are flaring.

[454Man]

Alternator voltage is fluctuating between 13 and 15.3 under load. I tired the reg wire to the charging post. Still the same thing. . Some reason I'm thinking it's a ground issue idk

[454Man]

Sorry that reading was from the Batt terminal.

[bd]

Alternator voltage is fluctuating between 13 and 15.3 under load. I tired the reg wire to the charging post. Still the same thing. . Some reason I'm thinking it's a ground issue idk

So, measured at the battery, output voltage fluctuates between 13 and 15.3, using the headlights for the load.  The alternator's 4-ga charge lead is connected directly to the battery positive post, and you connected the regulator #2 wire to the output post of the alternator.  Correct?

Measure alternator output voltage directly at the alternator output stud.  Connect a temporary jumper between the alternator case and the negative post of the battery.  Any change?

Do you have an inductive DC ammeter module for your Fieldpiece meter?