brand spankin' new alternator... w00t!!!

[chinard]

Okay, i finally had enough of my electics dying every time i tried to run the HEADLIGHTS while idling in traffic...
Went out and bought a nice powermaster 150amp alternator.
What a difference!!!

Lighting system is the H4 conversion for headlights and SRS foglights (similar to the PIAA's) My ignition is a TFI "Juicebox" system which (unfortunately) seems to put a higher demand on the alternator.
(stock coil runs about 20,000v and the TFI coil runs about 30,000v)

Before...
Idling with no lights 13v ~ 14v
>1000 rpm = 14v
>1000 rpm with headlights only 12v ~ 13 v
>1000 rpm with headlights and foglights 11v ~ 12v
Idling with headlights only 11v ~ 13v (all over the place)
Idling with headlights and foglights < 12v until it stalls.
Idling with headlights, fogs,and high beams... stalls.

Routine habit for night driving was to turn off headlights while idling for more than 5 mins... otherwise rev the engine.

After...
Idling with no lights = 14v solid
>1000 rpm = 14v solid
>1000 rpm with headlights only = 13v ~ 14v
>1000 rpm with headlights and foglights 13v ~ 14v
Idling with headlights only = 13v ~ 14v
Idling with headlights and foglights = 13v solid
Idling with headlights, fogs, and high beams = 13v solid
Actually, I cant seem to find much of anything that will make it drop below 13v

I'd highly recommend swapping out the alternator for pretty much anybody with an older jeep that has had either lighting upgrades, a Winch, or the Juicebox ignition upgrade.

 

[far_right]

how much is it worth

what was the $$$ just wondering did it have a 1 or 6 grove pulley

 

[chinard]

well, it was about $350 canadian, which is probably like a buck and a half in american money...

They come in different sizes and styles... this one was a one groove standard mopar type alternator.... Nice and boring...

The box just says:
Powermaster
Black Thermal Coat alternator
Delco 12SI One-Wire
12v Output Max/Idle: 140/80A
Part # 57294

It also comes with a "proof of performance" tag that tells you what the actual amperage output is..> Mine says 87a at idle and 154a at highway speed.

There's plenty of other good performance alternators out there... i believe someone else mentioned that "mean green" were pretty kickass, so shop around a bit.

 

[far_right]

wow....kinda high... :shock:

 

[XJNick]

Glad to hear it worked out!

Just keep in mind though that the dash voltmeter will always read a few volts less than the actual voltage at the batt/alt. due to the distance and small gauge wire they use :mrgreen: .

By the way... were you able to get your running lamps working?

-Nick :!:

 

[chinard]

Glad to hear it worked out!

Just keep in mind though that the dash voltmeter will always read a few volts less than the actual voltage at the batt/alt. due to the distance and small gauge wire they use :mrgreen: .

True dat, but on the same token it gives you a rough idea of how much juice the other components in the jeep are getting, as they are all on the crappy old wire... :roll:

By the way... were you able to get your running lamps working?

-Nick :!:

Nope... thats an install i actually have to PLAN out, unlike an alternator swap which only takes like 10 mins
I have some time off next week, i'll probably buy some more wire, fuses, and portable "mount em anywhere" relays and go to town on the whole front lighting assembly.
If course that means making myself VERY filthy and i'm almost out of Lava Soap

 

[chinard]

wow....kinda high... :shock:

Acutally.. the FIRST one i was quoted was a 200amp model that was almost $900...
The higher amperage you go, the more its gonna cost you. I'm planning alot of electrical stuff for my jeep, so it makes sense to go up to 150amp, but you could probably snag a refurbished 80amp for less than a hundred bucks.

Do some local searches for alternator rebuilders, cause ANYTHING is better than the stock 56amp alternator they give you...
Cripes, it feels like a hamster wheel with tin foil on his feet.

 

[far_right]

when mine dies, i can get one an ACDelco for less than 90 bucks thats 100 amps...

 

[jprtroy]

I thourghly enjoy my 160amp that came with my Link-Arc welder! Whats nice about thses high-output alternators is at idle they produce over 80amps! I can weld mild 1/8" to 3/16th just off idle! have to rev her up a little for 1/4" or more though.
Enjoy....

 

[L33TJ33P]

chinard, do you play Everquest or Dark Age Of Camelot?? That "w00t" is something you only hear in MMORPGs

 

[chinard]

chinard, do you play Everquest or Dark Age Of Camelot?? That "w00t" is something you only hear in MMORPGs

No, w00t just pops up pretty much everywhere these days...

 

[L33TJ33P]

figures it would migrate to the outside world. :lol:

 

[chinard]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/lanparty/38e7/

Gaming culture and Geek culture have been infecting the rest of society for years now...
Resistance is futile?

 

[L33TJ33P]

And to think, that started as something to say you were excited, on Everquest LOL.

 

[chinard]

Actually... I think it even goes waaaay back to the old quake III and unreal touranment days...

 

[L33TJ33P]

didn't Eversuck comeout around the Unreal touranment and Quake III time?? I know it has been out a few years, at least 5 right?

 

[jackal]

I just bought a 105 amp kit from JC whitney . It fits a chevy style alternator , but they have other styles, too. It is easy to put in . It has instructions and the brushes are already sprung and set( no tooth picks). It has a metal pin for that . Just remember where the insulated screws go. It works great . comes with a new stator , voltage regulator, bridge rectifier, and diode-trio. All for $34.

Mine runs great.

Later,
Jackal