Higher power alternator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport FL
Higher power alternator
I put electric fans in my car, and now the alternator just cant produce enough juice... I need to get a better one tommorow, would a local auto parts store have one that would work (Discount Auto Parts)? What should I ask for to get a higher power unit that will be a direct fit. Mine has a spot for the +12v and a connector that has a red wire and a brown wire going to it.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Higher power alternator (Scott78)
I just noticed Summit has 100 and a 140 amp alternator listed in their catalog. I think they were big $$$ though. May want to check with them.
Just a thought,
-Sleek
Just a thought,
-Sleek
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 3
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Higher power alternator (RoyArms)
I took mine to a alternator shop and had it upgraded to a 150 amper....I have enough juice to light up a small town..... :D I have dual spal fans, amps for stereo,electric fuel pump, A/C on all the time, and a whole bunch of power sucking devices...so at idle my car still runs with the needle right side of middle.... :seeya Cappy
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport FL
Re: Higher power alternator (8T1-7T9 BIONIC VETTE)
With all those one-wire alternators, where would you hookup the other two wires?? The brown one ties into the generator light on the dash, and the other red one, im not sure where it goes.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Re: Higher power alternator (RoyArms)
I replaced my alt. on my 77 but it was throwing belts. Ended up putting the old on back on after testing it and now the GEN light stays on....Any reason why? :rolleyes:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Higher power alternator (RoyArms)
With all those one-wire alternators, where would you hookup the other two wires?? The brown one ties into the generator light on the dash, and the other red one, im not sure where it goes.
The Altenator light will come on if current is flowing from the battery to the alternator...this only happens if the alternator has a shorted diode, or if there is a short in the wiring.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Higher power alternator (Rockn-Roll)
rocknRoll....sounds like you are thinking of the old early alts with external regulator, there is no easy connection intended for external wiring on the later alternators....
the alternator you want is found on late 70's caddy seville, with rear window defogger, most any car of that vintage with rear window defogger should have at LEAST an 80 amp unit on it...the caddy seville had 108 amp rating, and is known as a SI17 series alternator, the case is slightly larger in diameter but that will not stop installation....the external wiring is a plug in....
you might want to flip the rear 1/2 of the case around so the regulator terminals are in proper position, but I don'[t think that is necessary....
what I do is buy the alternator pay the core charge,.....
then at a differant trip, return the older smaller alternator, thereby avioding any hassle over the thing being not the same unit....
GENE
the alternator you want is found on late 70's caddy seville, with rear window defogger, most any car of that vintage with rear window defogger should have at LEAST an 80 amp unit on it...the caddy seville had 108 amp rating, and is known as a SI17 series alternator, the case is slightly larger in diameter but that will not stop installation....the external wiring is a plug in....
you might want to flip the rear 1/2 of the case around so the regulator terminals are in proper position, but I don'[t think that is necessary....
what I do is buy the alternator pay the core charge,.....
then at a differant trip, return the older smaller alternator, thereby avioding any hassle over the thing being not the same unit....
GENE
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Lutz FL
Re: Higher power alternator (RoyArms)
Ebay has them regularly, up to 180 amps! Pretty reasonably priced too, if you don't want a chromed one.
Heres a chrome 135 amp for $85.. Seller has nice high positive feedback, he's been on ebay a while
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eb...668856&r=0&t=0
[Modified by Black68Vette, 1:11 PM 3/29/2002]
Heres a chrome 135 amp for $85.. Seller has nice high positive feedback, he's been on ebay a while
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eb...668856&r=0&t=0
[Modified by Black68Vette, 1:11 PM 3/29/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Higher power alternator (Black68Vette)
Sounds like your vette has tha small alternator 32 to 36 amps, If your vette had air then you should have a 61 amp that is what I have and I also have dual electric fans and I have plenty of juice. I will bet you that you have the 32 to 26 amp alternator. Just take it to a parts outlet a lot of them will test it for free and tell you its output or you can just simply buy an 80 amp for abought $80 very cheap. When you hook this up real easy "thick red wire is held-on by a nut, and the other 2 wires just plug on via a conector. *0 amps is more then enough and if your battery is more then 5 years old replace-it cheal insurance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
Re: Higher power alternator (73-454)
I am having the same problem. So I am upgrading my current alternator to 105 amps. I am getting a kit from these guys http://www.alternatorparts.com/gm_al...grade_kits.htm
Give them a call. They told me that because of the way even 80 amp alternators are wired, they have a hard time producing the current needed for fans at idle. The way the 105 amp units are wired (internally) they have a lot more current capacity at idle. and it is only $35.
Good luck
Chris
Give them a call. They told me that because of the way even 80 amp alternators are wired, they have a hard time producing the current needed for fans at idle. The way the 105 amp units are wired (internally) they have a lot more current capacity at idle. and it is only $35.
Good luck
Chris
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Higher power alternator (mrvette)
Last night I put the meter on the battery and when running/ idleing she read 14 volts.. Guess that means the alternator is doing it's thing.. Drove her to work today.. Got the battery from the boat and a set of jumper cables just in case.. :D
