Charging Trouble

[Mijeeper CJ 7]

I have a 1976 Ford 390 in a F150 4x4. I put on a new ALT. & Voltage regulator and it still isn't charging. What an I missing?

[chris1044]

Whats the voltage drop of the positive cable from the back of the alt to the battery? Possible corrosion there. Also, are all your connections good? What about the battery?

Secondly, where did you get the alt from? I've seen brand "new" alternators not charge right after installation....it's possible that it's simply defective....

[Mijeeper CJ 7]

New battery, connections appear to be good and tight, cleaned the battery connection on back of alt. I'm going to take the new alt. in for a test hopefully it is just a bad alt.

[chris1044]

if it was a reman it's highly possible....i'd say atleast 1 in 5 I install end up as junk (per carquest usually)

[Yetti]

did you polarize the regulator? if not non if it will work.

[Mijeeper CJ 7]

I can't really say what I did but it's charging now. All I know is there was sparks and now it's charging.