great i toasted another alt.
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Pro
Joined: May 2003
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From: Spring Hill Florida
great i toasted another alt.
well guys i blew another alternator. 4th one in like 4 months
this is really starting to get me mad i mean i have spent a crap load of money for my system wich i dont want to sell. i have no money to get a h.o alt. so im stuck wiht a 108 amp alt form discount
while i was talkin to the guy at autozone that tested it he was like you need to get a bigger ground strap wth is that other then that what can i do to keep my alts going more then a month
thanks for the help
this is really starting to get me mad i mean i have spent a crap load of money for my system wich i dont want to sell. i have no money to get a h.o alt. so im stuck wiht a 108 amp alt form discount
while i was talkin to the guy at autozone that tested it he was like you need to get a bigger ground strap wth is that other then that what can i do to keep my alts going more then a month
thanks for the help
Race Director
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: great i toasted another alt. (Cory00)
while i was talkin to the guy at autozone that tested it he was like you need to get a bigger ground strap wth is that other then that what can i do to keep my alts going more then a month
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: great i toasted another alt. (CFI-EFI)
while i was talkin to the guy at autozone that tested it he was like you need to get a bigger ground strap wth is that other then that what can i do to keep my alts going more then a month Is there a question or statement, in there somewhere?
:seeya
:steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
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From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: great i toasted another alt. (bogus)
I've had my run at alternators on my Firebird.
6 in one year. It did not matter if it was used, rebuilt, new or new OEM part. They all failed.
So far I've gone thought 2 since I owned my Vette.
I have 2 dead ones in my garage along with one good one.
In some weird way I'm glad my Firebird and Vette alternator are the same...
BTY I've hear over on the thirdgen board they were not designed well...
6 in one year. It did not matter if it was used, rebuilt, new or new OEM part. They all failed.
So far I've gone thought 2 since I owned my Vette.
I have 2 dead ones in my garage along with one good one.
In some weird way I'm glad my Firebird and Vette alternator are the same...
BTY I've hear over on the thirdgen board they were not designed well...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 445
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: great i toasted another alt. (CFI-EFI)
I can understand your system woes. Can you give us an idea of your system (ie. what size amps are you running and the size of the fuse(s) in each, # and size of subs, etc).
From my personal experience, any amp that's making 350+ RMS watts is going to put a serious load on the little 108 amp alternator. Typically an amp making that much constant power is probably pulling a good 30+ amps. If you're right around that border line range between 200-350 watts RMS, I'd look into a Power Capacitor. I'm presently using a 1 farad capacitor with a RF amp making 450W Peak/225W RMS and it prevents the headlights from dimming. I still expect the alternator will have to be replaced after about a year, but that's certainly less frequent than once a month!!
The power cap. typically works well to "extend" the life of the alternator. All-in-all, the cost of a good 1 farad cap will run you around $100-$150. I'd turn the system down a bit until I could save up for the cap (or the H.O. alternator).
From my personal experience, any amp that's making 350+ RMS watts is going to put a serious load on the little 108 amp alternator. Typically an amp making that much constant power is probably pulling a good 30+ amps. If you're right around that border line range between 200-350 watts RMS, I'd look into a Power Capacitor. I'm presently using a 1 farad capacitor with a RF amp making 450W Peak/225W RMS and it prevents the headlights from dimming. I still expect the alternator will have to be replaced after about a year, but that's certainly less frequent than once a month!!
The power cap. typically works well to "extend" the life of the alternator. All-in-all, the cost of a good 1 farad cap will run you around $100-$150. I'd turn the system down a bit until I could save up for the cap (or the H.O. alternator).
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 445
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: great i toasted another alt. (Cory00)
[ i have 1900 watts and a 1f. cap ]
There in lies the problem. That's a pretty solid system (PRO), but one that a 108 amp alternator will NEVER handle (CON). Even a 2 farad cap wouldn't even come close to holding enough juice for the peak hits with the subs.
Even with serious mods to the charging system (H.O. alternator, 2 farad cap, Optima batteries, etc.) I would be impressed if the alternator made it 6 months in a daily driver.
Just my 2 cents.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: great i toasted another alt. (Cory00)
that is a reason the guy at autozone called me crazy
while i was talkin to the guy at autozone that tested it he was like you need to get a bigger ground strap wth is that other then that what can i do to keep my alts going more then a month
RACE ON!!!
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From: Vette-hid.com Lost in DFW texas
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: great i toasted another alt. (CFI-EFI)
First of all i have had many high dollar systems in my cars over the years.You either need to install a second battery Two yeloow top optimas would work.Your alt is not designed to do what you are doing.There used to be several companies that make a high output greater than 240 alternator.I think you need to bring a Battery charger everywhere with you.You can allways do this, set up a switch relay for some of you amps.Run mids and highs and one sub during week for normal driving.When you decide to crank it flip switch for secondary amps.I used to have a merkur xr4ti that was sponsered by nacamichi and thats what we had to do.You will never get you battery to charge with the set up you have now.More than likley if you crank stereo with car running it will stall car and thats not good for a electrical system.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 136
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From: Port Moody BC
Re: great i toasted another alt. (Cory00)
WTF???? 1900 watts in a Corvette??? Never mind the alternator ... doesn't the base from the sub woofers cause stress cracks in the fiberglass????
:lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
:lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: great i toasted another alt. (Cory00)
Cory, why on God's green earth did you fashion a stereo system as the center of gravity? You went way overboard, and soon you'll be going deaf. That ##@@!! thing is going to cause you ALOT more money and hearthache. My general advice is to get a bigger alternator, and TONE DOWN that stereo a bit by getting smaller amps. Rock On!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
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From: Inland Empire CA
Re: great i toasted another alt. (bradvette)
Holy &@#$ that thing probably shakes like a ****. I agree with the others, you need a killer alternator, tone down the system a little or get extra power sources... battery, 2 or 3 alternators, fusion reactor, solar panels, hydrogen fuel cell... something :smash: :smash: good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: great i toasted another alt. (bradvette)
You need an appropriate alternator. Save your $$$ and buy something that can complement your system. Anything less than that is a temporary fix and will cost you way more $$$ in the long run. ;)
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,313
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From: providence ut
Re: great i toasted another alt. (eschoendorff)
You need to get the regulator out of the alt. thats were your heat is coming from and then install a fan on the regulator ........a good alternator shop should be able to help you out ............as far as adding another alternator gooooood luk there's not much room under there. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: great i toasted another alt. (Cory00)
1900 watts of audio!!!! :eek: I can turn up my stock Bose radio in my 87 vette and destroy my hearing. You could not possibly be running 1900 watts when you are listening to program material!!!
A capacitor however large will not reduce your alternator current!!!! A 108 amp alternator puts out 1587.6 watts (108 X 14.7) and this is the reason your alternators do not last very long. You need a 200 amp alternator if you do not want to spend the rest of your life changing alternators. You might even consider installing a separate battery and additional 100-140 amp alternator for your audio system, but the stock alternator was never intended to hold up the obnoxious load you are putting on your electrical system with your aftermarket audio amplifier/s.
I'm surprised your stock alternator lasts even one month that you are experiencing. :eek:
[Modified by jfb, 2:12 PM 2/7/2004]
A capacitor however large will not reduce your alternator current!!!! A 108 amp alternator puts out 1587.6 watts (108 X 14.7) and this is the reason your alternators do not last very long. You need a 200 amp alternator if you do not want to spend the rest of your life changing alternators. You might even consider installing a separate battery and additional 100-140 amp alternator for your audio system, but the stock alternator was never intended to hold up the obnoxious load you are putting on your electrical system with your aftermarket audio amplifier/s.
I'm surprised your stock alternator lasts even one month that you are experiencing. :eek:
[Modified by jfb, 2:12 PM 2/7/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: The light that never warms.
St. Jude Donor '12
Re: great i toasted another alt. (bogus)
Your 17SI was barely up to the job when your car was stock. You need to go to a CS144. See my tech tip on upgrading in the tech tips section.