Melting insulation on alternator output

[SeanV]

Can anyone further my knowledge on alternator out-put?

On my Yanny FX175D the alternator output wires get so hot they've melted the insulation. I re-insulated with heat-shrink, but I'm wondering if the battery is too discharged and so the load coming off the alternator is too high.

Having looked at similar queries elsewhere on here, I was wondering if the VR was allowing too higher demand and that was the issue.

Electrical sages, what do think?

 

[HoyeTractor]

If I had to guess I would probably say it is either a bad voltage regulator or a bad connection somewhere. The alternators (actually a dynamo) just spin and make voltage. They don't do any current or voltage control so I doubt it is doing anything wrong.

 

[CalG]

Charge your battery with a charger. Check the voltage to the battery when the engine is running. Should be about 14.5 V 12.5 volts engine off

 

[LD1]

Ditto the bad connection.

 

[Scrambler82]

Voltage regulator, connections or shorted battery.
Check the voltage at the alternator output, at any connections between the alt and bat and check voltage of battery.
Check for hot wires under the dash or going through the firewall.