Rewinding Alternator For Higher Voltage

[paikiah]

Originally posted by Jmac
In addition to increasing current output of an alternator, is it possible to increase the voltage output of an alternator ?

I think so yes, cause I hear people with 200A's here hitting over 15V spikes, so they had to get some sort of attenuators to keep it at 14.4v...

also, there was this person here who upgraded and saw16V. He was so happy the volts were that high... i doubt hewas aware that he needed HC amps for that...(or so I think he does need an amp to accpet such high voltages)

[i3abyjay25]

i think it may depend on the alternator itself... my stock alt which was i think like 70 amp.. had a 14.2 volt while running... i upgraded to an 150 amp alt.. and now my volt only stays at 13.1 while running.. so i actually lost voltage...i also while installing new alt, i upgraded power from alt to 4 guage instead of the origianl 8.. no i didt upgrade the ground... just power...

[Aurorav8]

Will a slightly higher voltage damage an amp? I am getting a constant read between 14.7~14.9 with the stereo on and up.

[paikiah]

Originally posted by Aurorav8
Will a slightly higher voltage damage an amp? I am getting a constant read between 14.7~14.9 with the stereo on and up.

most of the operating voltage numbers I've seen was 10V~15V. I dont' think you have much of a problem, since you don't blast your stereo and get full 900+watts RMS constant out of your 800.2

I don't know if I am correct, but with higher voltages, amps would prodcue higher power, leading to more heat than the amp might withstand. But if the demand was more reasonable, according to my beliefs, it shouldn't be a problem excpet for a LITTLE warmer amp.

[Aurorav8]

I didn't figure it would cause much problem...but thought I'd ask anyways.

[jbl_marshall21]

ok because my alt only reads out like 13 volts and then sometimes 13.8 is there something wrong? i have a 90 amp alt. is it just cuz its old?

[paikiah]

No, there's probably nothing wrong if it doesn't dip below 13V, I guess. The output would vary with engine speed, load from other electrical devices in your car (headlight, etc).

[maylar]

Lead acid batteries:

Nominal voltage, no load = 12.6 volts
"Fast" charge = 14.4 volts. Most alternators run 14.1 - 14.4
"Float" charge = 13.86 volts. This is what you'd use for long term storage on a boat battery or emergency lighting system where the battery isn't cycled much.

13 volts is not good from an alternator. Make sure you're measuring directly across the alternator terminals, not down-stream somewhere. You may be losing voltage in the wiring.

Alternator output voltage is controlled by the internal voltage regulator. It's not easily changeable.

16 volts is the maximum rating of most automotive electrical devices. Running this high will seriously stress the computer that runs your car. In my opinion, a real BAD idea. Your light bulbs will also start burning out VERY quickly.

[paikiah]

If I were you, I'd listen to Maylar...

[jbl_marshall21]

ok well when i turn on my jeep the gauge (in the dash) goes to bout 13.8 or so. no amps are on. then i start driving bout 60 and rpms are out bout 2k it is sometimes at 13.8 and sometimes lower. when i turn on my one amp it stays about the same.

but see in my dads pickup he is always getting a 14.4 or higher. his pickup is a 99 so i'm thinking its cuz my alts old.

[xjmadness]

Originally posted by jbl_marshall21
ok well when i turn on my jeep the gauge (in the dash) goes to bout 13.8 or so. no amps are on. then i start driving bout 60 and rpms are out bout 2k it is sometimes at 13.8 and sometimes lower. when i turn on my one amp it stays about the same.

but see in my dads pickup he is always getting a 14.4 or higher. his pickup is a 99 so i'm thinking its cuz my alts old.

my jeep is usually around 13.9-14.1 w/ amp sub off. System has never dipped below 13v w/ 1000 watts of total power, Full air, headlights,windshield wipers, etc. all on.

[jbl_marshall21]

well then i guess my alt is jewish. o well

[n0ftInc]

haha.. yeah it is.. ..anywho.. where could I look up a selection of alts for a '93 Corrado VR6..?