In all these years, I never caught on that you can do a CS144 swap.

I swapped in the CS130.

 

Sounds good! The 'true test' of the battery shows up after the 'surface charge' is gone. Let the battery set for a bit with nothing connected. An hour is easily long enough. Then check terminal voltage per Alan's guidance. Also check the specific gravity of the fluid in the cells. The SPG test will give you the best idea of the batttery's remaining current capacity and relative life expectancy. This is part of the annual electrical maintenence protocol, allowing you to predict battery failure before it actually strands you someplace with a no-start. Specific gravity is tested with a simple tester that looks like an eye-dropper with floating colored ***** in it, up to a turkey-baster-sized tester with a graduated float in it. The floating-***** tester is readily available at parts places for a couple dollars, and can usually be found on the battery rack at places like WalMart for under a dollar. I log the gravity readings for comparison/monitoring purposes, the same way tire tread depth readings are logged. If nothing else, it increases awareness of the conditions of these consumable items.

 

Im assuming that this kind of sexy works on all models?

 

[blushing...]
Nope. I only work do serious work on my own 928 these days.

I didn't know you cared!

[sigh]

 

Too funny.

I might do this on the S4 while the engine is out, etc..still following the thread.

 

16v have different mount configuration from 32v.

Great thread.

 

I converted my 16v to s4 alt mount and ps bracket..... It can be done for the gm on that set up as well

 

Anybody with the CS130 feeling juice deprived?

 

I was going to swap in a CS 130 (have it sitting on a shelf) but then I drove my 928 through small 6 inch deep rivers that formed in the streets of my neighborhood.

It somehow cleaned the internals and has been working better than ever and I only have light dimming when everything is turned on at idle.

It seems like a good swap to do as CS alternators are cheap and readily available compared to our 928 specific alt.

 

I don't recall my Bosch 928 alternator being expensive or hard to find. A call to a supplier, and in a couple days it was on my front porch for about what folks are quoting here for the Delco. I did need to send a core back though. Original wiring attached easily, old pulley fit perfectly, exact fit in the console. Even the cooling shroud fit correctly, although I did need to add the gasket, and swap in the longer original through-bolts on the case for the shroud to attach. Just sayin'...

 

Didn't Greg Brown recently post that there is a new Bosch alternator available with improved charging for our cars? I was thinking of doing a swap soon, my lights dim when fans are running, window wipers are on, radio on while idling.

I don't know pricing or performance? The GM unit has gotta be cheaper, right? Maybe he can get in on this....

 

Challenge for any will be basic initial fit, getting adequte alternator speed for at-idle-speed charging while not having it grenade at engine redline, getting cooling air ducted to it, and having upgraded primary wiring to support the additional current. Guessing that Greg won't show off any uprated units, Bosch or otherwise, until he has a full-package solution to offer.

----

I need a basic selectable planetary alternator overdrive unit, one that swaps to a better/faster ratio when engine RPM's are low, then to an under-drive ratio when engine load or RPM's go up. Could be vacuum-operated, in fact, from the same signal that moves the flappy on my S4...

 

"wiring to support the additional current"

A 200A alternator will not deliver 200A, unless you're consuming 200A however..why would the existing wiring not be sufficient for the load the car can present to it?

(Short of a monster stereo install)

I thought our fix idea, is more at idle, and a bit more higher than that.

 

The likely answer is that old wiring is degraded and needs to be just replaced rather than upgraded. There could perhaps be some justification for improving some Porsche wiring but its certainly not required. But old corroded wiring has increased resistance right up until it fails.

All most of us need is better generation at idle not more max power.

Alan

 

I "upgraded" my 928 to a light weight 7 lb 60Amp mini alternator list price $109.95 . required one round 1 1/2 inch spacer for the mounting bolt. Is a single wire self exciting unit....cute little bugger works very well for my 1980 ! But I also upgraded by removing the A/C , radio and seldom drive in the rain....plus still use the belt driven fan to move air through the radiator when I happen to be not moving