Specific Alternator Questions

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I did a search and was unable to find the answer to my question to where my dumb *** could understand.

I'm on my 3rd alt for my current vehicle and when I'm only running my system everything is fine. But now that the dog days of summer are here I have to run the A/C now as well. The last 2 alts that I've had go out were when I was driving with my system running as well as my A/C. So needless to say if I'm running my a/c I don't turn up my system very far in fear of frying another alt.

So anywho, I'm naturally looking for a HO alternator. My "specific" question is this: Is an alternator just a source of power? Does it only put out what is drawn from it? I've heard people say before that if you get a bigger alt than what your car came with stock it could fry your electrical system, is this true or BS?? So for a more general question............is a stock alt and a HO alt act the same except the only difference is that the HO has more potential??

Any help would be greatly appereciated. I'll do a search for "where to buy" one.

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[blackgeltabs 5,000+ posts]

Ive heard of alts frying electrical systems but its usually when something goes wrong and they are putting out more voltage than they should be.

You defintly need a HO alt you are taxing yours much to heavily. Especailly if you have burned through 2 of them. And im pretty sure alts only put out what is being drawn off of them at the time, but have the potential to give certain amps at certain rpms. Ex.// Car is running normally at idle and is requiring 60 amps but the potential is there for your alt to put out 100 amps at idle if needed.

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

you obviously did not search. There's a sticky in the top of this forum that outlines your question.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

you obviously did not search. There's a sticky in the top of this forum that outlines your question.

Omg I can't believe I didn't see that sticky. I was so busy doing a search that I ignored the sticky. Oh well, life is short, lets move on.