Alternator help Please

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Hey, I have a 1990 Chevy Tracker and I have concluded that I need a bigger alternator. My stock is 55 amps and my amps are : Zapco AG 350 and American Bass CX1200D. The total fusing is 120 Amps. I realize that they do not draw 120 amps (I'm not totally stupid) but I'm sure that they draw more that 55 amps minus the use of my car.

My lights do dim quite a bit so I'm sure I need a new alternator.

Here is the problem. I am from Canada so buying things from the US requires high shipping rates as well as taxes. I have a quote of a place that can build me an alternator for 200 USD that does 120 amps.

A local shop says they can rewind my alternator for 100 USD to 140 amps. I think it's a great idea and it will take them less than a day to do it.

The only problem is that when I called around for pricing at other stores, they said it would not be possible to make my alternator larger that 60-65 amps. Does anyone know who is telling the truth? I don't want to spend 100 bucks and get nothing, but I also don't want to spend 200 + shipping, taxes and tarrifs if I can get the same thing for 100.

Thanks

Click to read more...

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Does anyone have a 1989-94 Tracker or any 55 amp alternator for that matter? Have you been able to get it rewound to a larger size?

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

bump......

 

[80_Cutlass_mn 10+ year member]

The reason whoever said that getting it rewound would limit you to like 60-65 amps is because if they alternator is rewound and the rectifier unit is not upgraded then the rectifier will konk out on ya and then your lookin for a new alternator anyway. I would ask that shop that said they could rewind it to 140 amps if they do anything to the recitifer and then to show proof of it. Otherwise the recitifer unit wont handle the extra current and will burn out quickly. Also when alternators are made they are made with cooling characteristics just sufficient for the stock amperage. So when you rewind an alternator to a higher output you also have to take into consideration that better cooling is required to keep the alternator cool or it will soon fail from all the heat being produced.

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Ok thanks, what do people do for cooling?? Are there fans that can be bought or do most people just take a chance?

 

[80_Cutlass_mn 10+ year member]

Well as far as I know there isnt much you can do to improve cooling but like I said if they put in a higher amperage rectifier, chances are its gonna have a bigger heatsink than the original one but really the only way to increase cooling of an alternator is to make the case bigger, thats why you typically see high amperage alternators having bigger cases due to increased air flow. Cuz remember, the bigger the external housing, the more surface area there is to radiate the extra heat being produced.

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Great, thanks for your help. I'll call up the shop tomorrow afternoon and see what they say.

I really need a bigger alternator before I break something.

 

[80_Cutlass_mn 10+ year member]

Yes, continuing to run your current alt into the state you are now will surely put an end to it and quick. Alternators dont like having their full current pulled frequently, lots of heat generated and heat kills electrical equipment.

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Do you think that a 140 amp alternator will be suffice? I am running an American Bass CX1200D (80 Amp fuse) @ 1 ohm along with a Zapco AG 350 (40 Amp fuse) @ 1.3 ohms stereo?

Thanks

 

[80_Cutlass_mn 10+ year member]

Umm yea I think a 140 would suffice, untill nighttime came round and you had to run the a/c, heater, headlights, etc etc. then I think it would prolly be a good idea to turn it down unless your lights dont dim with all this running and with it hitting hard. When you get the 140 amp alternator turn on all of your electrical accessories, headlights on bright, a/c on coldest point, fan going wide open and then rev the engine to highway cruising speeds, say round 2500 for a 4 cylinder and 2000 for a v6 and then crank it up and see if your lights still dim if they do but only slightly, I would say that you are in the clear just as long as you dont keep it cranked way up all the time. But if they dont dim, I wouldnt worry about it, also I would find the biggest alternator I could find or see just how big I could rewind that one to just for the simple fact that I think the bigger the alternator the better lol. But thats just me personally.

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Ok cool, thanks for the info/help. I really appreciate it. I am pretty sure that the biggest they will go is 140 beause I told them I need a big *** alternator and that is what they said they could do. Keeping in mind that my origional alt is only 55 amps, that leaves 85 amps dedicated to the stereo, not too bad.

Thanks again!

 

[80_Cutlass_mn 10+ year member]

Your welcome, just tryin to do my best to help people I can when I can.

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Ok well this sucks. I just talked to another person, someone who could actually speak english. They told me that they can't rewind my alternator because there physically isn't enough room to fit more wiring in the case. I called another as well and got the same reason.

One guy said they could maybe get 10% more amperage, but they would offer no warantee.

I guess I'm gonna have to think of something else to do then.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[Berry47 10+ year member]

can't you just buy another alternator

 

[LSCCEO 10+ year member]

Consider finding a larger alternator for a chevy from a camaro or pick up. the mounts should be similar, just do your homework.