Dim Lights At Idle

Chrysler did some stunt in at the intro of the alternator,
where they started the car, took out the battey and made some big drive
to point out the reliabilty of the alternator.
That was a mechanical voltage regulator, not the solid-state.

THE MAIN REASON for dim lights, low charge at idle is the "hi-current"
alternator. Look at the windings you can see through the slots.
See the coil loops? Factory units had 12-13 turns per loop, of smaller gauge wire, not the 7-8-9 turns of heavier wire seen in all modern types.

Each leg of the alternator's winding develops less voltage per rpm since its over-all length is shorter than if wound as in the original design.
Your regulator calls for maximum current to the rotor, but even this is not enough to "regulate" at low RPM.
I've had stators custom wound at motor shops get good output at idle.
The large wire-few loops versions should be able to deliver more current
at hiway speeds, but there's hardly any need for it, since we see the ammeter
near the middle most of the time anyway.

I think it's all due to being able to wind 'em cheaper with fewer loops.
Or a conspiracy against mopars by the evildoers.


I added such a relay for the AC fan, where I appreciate the difference and am sure it would brighten the lights quite a bit. But the low output at idle is the evil modern alternator winding style.