Alternator question!

[landonrogers]

I need to do the big 3 on my 2010 ford focus. I have a quick question about alternators: do you have to get a HO car alternator? or can I just use, per say a ford truck alternator, since its bigger?

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[negolien]

The alts are vehicle specific. there are some that are interchangeable but that's pretty complex as far as not only the type and amperage and stuff but the mounting location. Go with what's made for the vehicle you can get a nice HO alt for even the gimpest car. You will be paying for it though so no shortcutting if that's what you were thinking.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Issue is the mounting depth an ears not all ford alts will fit all does cars. And if you get one to fit from another car. It may not work properly

 

[Spl4200]

If you have it just laying around try it it'll work but if your pushing anything above 1500 Rms I'd say go with a h/o..

 

[landonrogers]

I have a 15" alpine type r and a kicker cx 1200.1 amp. should I just get a second battery first before I get a new HO alternator?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

You can. Just remember the battery is a bandaid if the alt can't keep them charged

 

[los33 10+ year member]

If you can find a alt dual bracket for your car then you can always do what i did which was buy used alts meant for my truck from a junk yard.

alt bracket - 100$

2 Used Alt oem 140 amps - 75$

Longer serpentine belt - 25$

200$ for 280 amps of alt power which since the setup is already in place i could easily save for a H/O alt and double/triple power.

 

[landonrogers]

So all in all, eventually im going to have to get a HO alternator lol...

I think im going to start with this: XS Power BIG3XP 250-amp Big 3 wiring upgrade kit at Crutchfield.com

then get an addtl. battery and see how much that helps.

side note: are capacitors even worth the money?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

So all in all, eventually im going to have to get a HO alternator lol...
I think im going to start with this: XS Power BIG3XP 250-amp Big 3 wiring upgrade kit at Crutchfield.com

then get an addtl. battery and see how much that helps.

side note: are capacitors even worth the money?

nope. If you wanna go that route, you'll need a bank of maxwell ultracapacitors and remove your starting battery completely along with a high output alternator. Those POS junky capacitors do more harm then good.