alt at car start up

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

I know that when you start your car up that the alt puts out max power for the first 20-30 seconds...but some times mine sticks and will do max till i shift out of park. during this time it hold at like 14.8 at ide and 14.3 with my system at full tilt. i have gotten my system checked and the JL 1000/1 i have pull 180 amps so that equates to my voltage drop problem.

So the question is at those time when the car holds good until i shift out of park...is that just the alt doin max power or (is it doing normal power and the voltage drop coming from some other problem)

thanks, andrew

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[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

any one? lol

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

the newer chevys alternators put out more power if needed. they are kind of weird. you can literally watch the gauge go up and down, not like a flickering light, but sometimes if it is idling it will go up for a while, then back off.

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

well this is a 99 tahoe so its the old body style...

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

well this is a 99 tahoe so its the old body style...

thats strange then. i only know of 05-06 chevys/gm's having alts that do that. it might be earlier than that, but i am not sure.

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

well i have the iraggi 220 amp. i talked to this guy that builds his own alts and he said that with just about all cars put out max amps for the first lil while...so im thinking that my alt is not powerfull enough and the 1k/1 draws a lot...

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

well i have the iraggi 220 amp. i talked to this guy that builds his own alts and he said that with just about all cars put out max amps for the first lil while...so im thinking that my alt is not powerfull enough and the 1k/1 draws a lot...

my stock alternator is fine with my zapco 1100.1 dc and 650.6 dc.

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

idk why. it gets me mad cause i read so much b4 upgrading my electrical too...no one can pin this down for me...the best answer i have gotten is but in 4 more 1700's

 

[Decipha 10+ year member]

i constantly watch my voltage meter, i thought my alt was going bad... tis brings me joy

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

i constantly watch my voltage meter, i thought my alt was going bad... tis brings me joy

huh?

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

Try shifting out of park and inrto nuetral, then turn the motor over to about 2,000-2,200 RPM's and see what your voltage does.

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

Also, I don't see how your alternator can change output based on gear. Your alternator is a belt driven motor, belt driven usually meaning that the faster it spins, the more power it puts out...

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

Also, I don't see how your alternator can change output based on gear. Your alternator is a belt driven motor, belt driven usually meaning that the faster it spins, the more power it puts out...

its not based on gear, i think its based off or while the rpms chnage, i think when it goes over idle rpm's then it breaks that max output amps output

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

its not based on gear, i think its based off or while the rpms chnage, i think when it goes over idle rpm's then it breaks that max output amps output

The RPM change from Idle to drive is not substantial...

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

i know, its once i start moving a little too, idk what it is, thats why im trying to solve this problem. do you think it could be that its breaking that max out put phase?