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Bigger alternator/dual batt suggestions

wetoolowdingbangow

wetoolowdingbangow

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Hey guys,

Its obvious to me that I need to bump up the power in the truck. I know that I want to go dual batteries....looking for some suggestions for a controller. So far im looking at the tmax kit from summit. $125 is do able for me. Anyone have opinion of that setup or something similar?

Next up is the alternator. From what I read I think the 140 to 160 range will do me fine. Curious to know if anyone is over driving.... or maybe they work full tilt at near idle?

There could be a situation where im running a light bar, pods, headlights/running lights, e fans, and possibly a winch in the future. Seems like $200 will get you a tuff stuff 160 amp, which looks like a nice piece.

It appears that alternator is 1 wire compatible...is that something people do or do they stick to stock wiring?

Should imshoot for 200 amps? The price ramps up to $400 awfully quickly.
 
One of the big things with high output alternators is where they make the power. It varies widely. Daul batt control what ever is cool. Seen it done alot of different ways
 
blazinzuk said:
One of the big things with high output alternators is where they make the power. It varies widely. Daul batt control what ever is cool. Seen it done alot of different ways
Click to expand...


Yeah thays what I read. The tuffstuff one says it works great in low idle situation...might be exactly what I need.
 
If needing a large output alternator, you aren't likely to beat the Pontiac Transport(IIRC) 200A CS144.

Factory normally does things right, if 200A is enough, I'd suggest going with an OEM solution off the shelf.

You need some "margin of error" in your calculations for amp output requirement.

No alternator out there that I am aware of, is going to put out enough juice to run a winch. The more the better, but from what I've seen, the winches draw more than any single alternator is going to put out.
 
search my screen name and alternators .

I have posted a link to one I have been running for years now on my plow truck .

up to 125 amp @ 800-900 rpm and max of 200 amp . and the dyno sheet shows actual 210 amp .

all this for about or just over 200 bucks.
 
sweetk30 said:
search my screen name and alternators .

I have posted a link to one I have been running for years now on my plow truck .

up to 125 amp @ 800-900 rpm and max of 200 amp . and the dyno sheet shows actual 210 amp .

all this for about or just over 200 bucks.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks! ill see what you got goin.

dyeager535 said:
If needing a large output alternator, you aren't likely to beat the Pontiac Transport(IIRC) 200A CS144.

Factory normally does things right, if 200A is enough, I'd suggest going with an OEM solution off the shelf.

You need some "margin of error" in your calculations for amp output requirement.

No alternator out there that I am aware of, is going to put out enough juice to run a winch. The more the better, but from what I've seen, the winches draw more than any single alternator is going to put out.
Click to expand...


Haha you turned up in a lot of my searches. curious to know if you're running a v belt or could one run a v belt on cs144?
 
wetoolowdingbangow said:
Interesting. i found a tuffstuff one for a little more than 200 bucks. is the 144 something oem that not 400 bucks? thats the only price I could find.
Click to expand...

$113 bones brand new for 140 amp model. 94 Caprice

You will need new ALT plug and a 50 ohm resistor, if I remember correctly. You will need 2 wires to make it run. One, S term, goes to stud the other, L term, gets the resistor and ignition.
 
Team208Motorsports said:
$113 bones brand new for 140 amp model. 94 Caprice

You will need new ALT plug and a 50 ohm resistor, if I remember correctly. You will need 2 wires to make it run. One, S term, goes to stud the other, L term, gets the resistor and ignition.
Click to expand...


Ok. Thinking about going with this one, unless the cs144 offers some advantage...


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-810344/overview/year/1985/make/chevrolet/model/k5-blazer

140 should be enough for dual batts...
 
The older alternators like that do not put out as much at low RPM's as the CS-series.

They might be able to do something with more modern electronics to improve that, but I doubt it, that seems to be about the same price as other stock 140A alternators.

Is that going to be a problem for you? Can't really answer that, again need to know what draw is, and even harder to find, what the output of the alternator is at idle.

I'm not a fan of the serpentine setups (personal preference) however the ribbed belts are better than v-belts in terms of grip. There was a ribbed belt setup used on some cars and I think some trucks in the late 80's, which had no tensioner, just the alternator, water pump, and crank pulley driving a ribbed belt, everything else was V.

Stout electric fans put a pretty good load on the belt at startup unless they are PWM controlled.
 
Last edited:
Looks like sweetk30 figured a good alternator upgrade. :waytogo:

After some searching I found dyeager535's helpful thread:
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236217&highlight=cs130

Sweet's install:
http://www.letsplow.com/showthread.php?t=616


Here is Sweetk30's alternator.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130256557908?item=130256557908&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT&vxp=mtr
For reference I'll put as much info as possible just in case the ebay link disappears in the future.

90-95 NEW CHEVY TAHOE GMC YUKON H O ALTERNATOR 200 A
Load Boss High Output Alternators!
Computer Load Tested For Performance!
WE GIVE YOU A ONE YEAR WARRANTY!
200 Amps Of Battery Maintenance Capability!
120 Amps at 800-1000 engine rpm!
200 Amps at 1800 engine rpm!
Supplied with performance curve chart!
100 % NEW

1993-90 Blazer 4.3L
1994-90 Blazer 5.7L
1995-90 C&K Pickup,Suburban,Tahoe,Yukon G Series Van,Sierra,Sonoma,Bravada
4.3L,5.0L,5.7L 1993-90 Jimmy And S,T Series Pickup 4.3L,5.7L


Dyeager 535 and sweetk30, feel free to correct any errors I may have made here.
Thanks to both of you for all the good info!
 
yep I been running this sucker for close to 9-10 years .

old cs130 @ 105 amp and 1000ca interstate couldn't keep up with the efi / wipers / heater blower / all lights on / and full ex-cop light bar on top that drinks 60-65 amps by its self .

pop this sucker in and no more problems ever since. :thumb:

if not in a hurry keep a eye on them . thay use to if still do lots of sales with good savings .
 
wetoolowdingbangow said:
Ok. Thinking about going with this one, unless the cs144 offers some advantage...


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-810344/overview/year/1985/make/chevrolet/model/k5-blazer

140 should be enough for dual batts...
Click to expand...


I got this one and it works fine. You will probably want to upgrade your wiring though, the alternator wiring on the Blazer is pretty thin. I got an alternator wiring upgrade kit and also ran a heavy wire directly from the rear post to the battery.
 
I did a hell roaring isolator / combiner install with dual AGM batteries in my truck and couldn't be happier.

Being able to isolate or combine with a switch in my cab and know that the batteries are both getting conditioned and charged during activity is awesome.

http://www.hellroaring.com

hellroaring_install.jpg
 
paratrooper307 said:
I got this one and it works fine. You will probably want to upgrade your wiring though, the alternator wiring on the Blazer is pretty thin. I got an alternator wiring upgrade kit and also ran a heavy wire directly from the rear post to the battery.
Click to expand...

Ok cool. I did notice the wires to be pretty small. What all are you running on this alternator?

4wheelinfury said:
I did a hell roaring isolator / combiner install with dual AGM batteries in my truck and couldn't be happier.

Being able to isolate or combine with a switch in my cab and know that the batteries are both getting conditioned and charged during activity is awesome.

http://www.hellroaring.com

hellroaring_install.jpg
Click to expand...

Ok cool ill check that out! Thats exactly what im looking for. Thanks!
 
Im still reading through some of the posted links. The summit alt i posted says its a 10si style...is that not as good as cs144?
 
wetoolowdingbangow said:
Ok cool. I did notice the wires to be pretty small. What all are you running on this alternator?
Click to expand...

FI/electric pump, driving lights, stereo, CB, H4 headlight upgrade. It's probably overkill for what I need, but I wanted room to grow, and the stock 65 amp alternator was getting taxed.
 
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