Alternator upgrade

[da0s44 10+ year member]

Hello all I am new here to this forum so please excuse the noobish question.

I believe I am in need of a new high output alternator due to my lights dimming whenever I turn the volume up in my truck. As I was telling a buddy of mine what was going on, he recommended the use of an upgraded alternator. He said there is a place here in town that can take a factory alternator and upgrade it for about $100 bucks.

I thought this sounded too good to be true since the HO alt I have looked up online are hundreds of dollars. Can anyone tell me if they have experience with these types of rebuilt alternators and if they are any good?

Also my last question is dealing with farads. How do I know how many farads to use? Is it based off of total wattage?

Thanks alot guys for your patience with me on these noobish question. I really appreciate it and look forward to hearing some opinions and guidance.

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Most rewinds dont make power until high rpms. What size is your factory alternator? Have you done the "big 3"? Do you have a good battery under the hood?

Dont worry about farads, it refers to caps which you dont need.

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Yes, the optimal equation is this:

1. Do the big 3 (search it with google)

2. Upgrade battery(s) to agm and the biggest you can physically fit.

3. Upgrade the alternator to an aftermarket one. (Mechman, DC Power, Excessive Amperage, Ohio Generator, Mean Green)

 

[da0s44 10+ year member]

I have not done the big three. I have no idea what that is. Sorry for the ignorance guys. Im extremely new to this kind of stuff.

I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia Limited. I have no idea what kind of battery. Im guessing it is the factory battery.

What is the big three?

 

[da0s44 10+ year member]

ok thanks for the advice guys. Just researched the big three and Im gonna try that first before investing in a battery and HO alt.

Thanks again/

 

[MECHMAN 10+ year member]

Your local shop won't be able to do much to that unit for $100, better to spend the money elsewhere.

How many watts RMS is your system?

 

[Redlineaudio 10+ year member]

A lot of times the wire upgrades will do wonders, We also find that OLD batts just do not have the kick they did when new. Also the Alt degrades over time and will out put out near as much. So we generally do the following.

Wire upgrade, Do the grounds also.

New Batt, depends on the age, you can check the Voltage to get and ideal of how much it is down.

Rebuild the Factory Alt.

If none of this does it, then a New High amp alt goes in.