100 Amp Alternator

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Mar 17, 2008 | 08:32 PM

kansas123

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

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From: Wichita Kansas

100 Amp Alternator

What if anything would a 100 AMP internally regulated alternator do for a stock '72 350 auto with A/C? Thanks.

Mar 17, 2008 | 09:07 PM

wombvette

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From: New Hill NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansas123

What if anything would a 100 AMP internally regulated alternator do for a stock '72 350 auto with A/C? Thanks.

Nothing unless you need that much for some reason.

Mar 17, 2008 | 09:49 PM

Ironcross

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From: Taylor Michigan

However you can get a 94 amp alternator with the same case measurements as a direct no

fit for about the same price as your 55 or 63 and no one will know the difference. Or have your old numbered cases filled with the 94 internals.....

Last edited by Ironcross; Mar 17, 2008 at 09:52 PM.

Mar 17, 2008 | 11:41 PM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Nothing whatsoever....unless you've installed a massive stereo system in the car.

Mar 17, 2008 | 11:44 PM

SIXFOOTER

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From: Boca Raton Florida

or high power lights, electric fans, mood lighting.....

Mar 17, 2008 | 11:44 PM

gavanm01

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Our community has had some intermittent power problems. Maybe we could hook you up to the grid when we brown out?

Mar 18, 2008 | 02:46 AM

vho69

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From: Reinholds pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER

or high power lights, electric fans, mood lighting.....

mood lights

were the heck do you have any room in a vette to need mood lights

Mar 18, 2008 | 06:57 AM

gingerbreadman1977

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From: gold coast queensland

i think its a good idea.i run a 120 amp constant alt ... keeps your lights nice and bright. and if you put in thermo fan or stereo and all that the power is there.

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Mar 18, 2008 | 07:28 AM

Gordonm

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From: Forked River NJ

What you need to do is add up all your power needs and then go slightly over what amps you need. No need to go overkill unless you have future plans for massive power needs. Your 60 amp alt will do just fine unless you have added more power drains such as electric fans or a huge stereo system. I upped my 43 amp alt. to 80 amps in the stock case. I have added electric fans and a CD ignition which added about 35 amp draw at max to the existing system. No problems at all running this way.

Mar 18, 2008 | 07:58 AM

#10

joefloyd

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Revere Massachusetts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordonm

If I install a 100 amp in an 80 do I need to change the wire feed to it? I don't plan to add to the stock load.

Mar 18, 2008 | 08:37 AM

#11

Gordonm

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From: Forked River NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by joefloyd

If I install a 100 amp in an 80 do I need to change the wire feed to it? I don't plan to add to the stock load.

If you are not putting any more load on it you should be fine with the stock wiring. I'm running the stock wiring with my 80 amp one with no problems.

Mar 18, 2008 | 09:30 AM

#12

wombvette

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From: New Hill NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordonm

If you are not putting any more load on it you should be fine with the stock wiring. I'm running the stock wiring with my 80 amp one with no problems.

Sort of depends on where you draw that current from. If you draw that current from inside the car through the original bulkhead connection, you will develop a serious case of Air Car Itis.

Mar 18, 2008 | 09:34 AM

#13

bigvette1

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From: Schaumburg IL

Alt Suggestion

Ok, what suggestions do you have for brand of a 100 or 120amp alt that is a direct bolt in? Wiring changes needed for higher amp o/P?

Mar 18, 2008 | 10:02 AM

#14

Ironcross

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From: Taylor Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansas123

What if anything would a 100 AMP internally regulated alternator do for a stock '72 350 auto with A/C? Thanks.

google '94 amp GM alternator' and you can find the answer to a simple bolt in alternator without any hassle. Should be available at most parts houses.

Lester number is possibly {7294-12} probably under $50.00

Mar 18, 2008 | 12:37 PM

#15

kansas123

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

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From: Wichita Kansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingerbreadman1977

i think its a good idea.i run a 120 amp constant alt ... keeps your lights nice and bright. and if you put in thermo fan or stereo and all that the power is there.

Thanks, this is what I was curious about. This car only has stock radio, air conditioning, PS & PB, so I am tempted if it will brighten the lights. I just didn't want to chance doing any damage. This is what brought this all about:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-70...em230233259030

Mar 18, 2008 | 12:42 PM

#16

Gordonm

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From: Forked River NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansas123

No harm in having enough power for the lights but headlights will wear out. If you have old headlights they will not be as bright as a new set will. They do wear out. I put in a new set of halogen bulbs a few years ago with the stock 43 amp alternator and the lights were a whole lot brighter than the old headlights. After I put in the higher amp alt. the lights stayed the same. I think you will get better brightness by changing the bulbs vs changing to a higher amp alternator. If your lights get brighter with more rpm then you have a charging problem or battery problem.

Mar 18, 2008 | 03:02 PM

#17

wombvette

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From: New Hill NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansas123

A higher amp alternator will not brighten the lights, unless the old one is not capable of keeping up. The lights will draw only what they need from the 12V source. Sort of like dipping a gallon of water from an acre pond. Its the same as from a 1000 acre pond.

Mar 19, 2008 | 10:04 AM

#18

gingerbreadman1977

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From: gold coast queensland

im just talking from experience. i had the stock alt in my 81 and i had thermo fans, stereo and ac. i found my dash lights a bit dim and thermo fan a bit on the sad side. i replaced the alt with a bosch constant a year ago and havent had a problem ever since. my lights are bright, my fan is strong.

Mar 19, 2008 | 11:22 AM

#19

no2pencel

Heel & Toe

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Edmond Oklahoma

I have a 100 amp Powermaster that works great for my twin Spal fans and A/C. Everything works great at idle. The Alternator never drops below 13.6 volts with EVERYTHING on.