Need A stronger Alternator HELP!
torridoragazzo
08-30-2005, 02:05 AM
Hello again everyone, i have added alot more sound into my car which consist of two amps and stuff i installed a capacitor and upgraded the battery to an optima yellow top what i am looking to do not is upgrade my alternator someone told me if i dont eventually it will just die anyway because of all the power im pulling, anybody know anything about this? also if i do need to upgrade the alternator which one should i get how many amps? etc... thanks
GTP Dad
08-30-2005, 05:43 AM
As long as you are using a good quality battery and a capacitor on the amps you shouldn't need to upgrade the battery. Since the amps now draw their power from the capacitors then there is a constant not an intermittant draw on the battery. If you are really worried then add another battery into the system just to power the amps rather than another alternator. The one you have should be more than adequate for your application.
panzer dragoon
08-30-2005, 11:15 AM
http://www.motorcityreman.com/high-amp-alternators-gm-special-order-alternators.html
If you got the 3.8L does it take a different alternator than the 3.5L? I assume it would. So finding an high amp alternator for the 3.8 should be easy.
Finding a 3.5L high amp alternator will be harder.
Locally you will find alternator/generator shops that will redo (rewire)your alternator for $100-200. Go where the classic automotive and bike people would go. Napa might be a good place also. RockAuto only had 125A alternators. I did this with my 58 Buick generator because I didn't want to trade in the original core for authenticity.
Why don't you see if your existing car alternator will handle the added load for now (especially at idle). Maybe add an amperage guage to check. As long as you can jump your car to restart it you will be ok.
If you got the 3.8L does it take a different alternator than the 3.5L? I assume it would. So finding an high amp alternator for the 3.8 should be easy.
Finding a 3.5L high amp alternator will be harder.
Locally you will find alternator/generator shops that will redo (rewire)your alternator for $100-200. Go where the classic automotive and bike people would go. Napa might be a good place also. RockAuto only had 125A alternators. I did this with my 58 Buick generator because I didn't want to trade in the original core for authenticity.
Why don't you see if your existing car alternator will handle the added load for now (especially at idle). Maybe add an amperage guage to check. As long as you can jump your car to restart it you will be ok.
torridoragazzo
08-30-2005, 11:45 PM
i will see hoe this alternator works out since u seem to think i dont need a new one, i am going to be adding another cap anyway to kinda even things out cuz right now i have 2 1200 watt amps running off a 3 farad cap im gonna add a 3 farad to each amp that should help even more, thanks alot
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