[DeTomaso] Charging System Problem FIXED

[J. Sean Keane]

I finally figured out why my charging system wasn't working properly. A 
little while back, my Pantera started overheating. It had an 
after-market radiator, but it was old and wasn't working well any more. 
I had a local shop replace the radiator with one from Ron Davis Racing. 
They also replaced the fans with newer, better units.

Those fans apparently draw a lot more current than the old ones. I 
almost always have the AC on, which causes a significant current drop on 
the ammeter (I couldn't figure out why at first, then it hit me: the AC 
condenser fan). The bottom line is that the 60-amp alternator (the more 
powerful of the two that are easily available) couldn't cope with the load.

I had a local specialty shop rebuild the alternator to a 95-amp model 
for about $85, and that has cured the problem. Now, when I rev the 
engine up with the radiator fans and AC going, the ammeter actually goes 
into positive charging territory instead of barely getting above zero. 
I've driven it a fair bit this last week, and it hasn't stranded me 
anywhere or hesitated when starting. This is new behavior, at least 
since I had the radiator work. Problem solved!

Regards,

Sean