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Need more ALTERNATOR power!

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Check out www.alternatorparts.com They sell parts to upgrade various alternators and also sell ready-to-run hi output alternators. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

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I just bought a new CS144 alternator and adaptor harness from this place a couple of weeks ago. The guy I talked to seemed to be very knowledgeable and was helpful. The alternator also came with the correct v-belt pulley for my application.

This place also sells high output SI12 alternators for about the same price as the CS144, but the guy recommended the CS144 upgrade because it is supposed to be more reliable and it puts out much more amps at idle than the souped up SI12.
 
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can stock wiring handle these high amp alternators? to go from 60 or so amps to 140 is quite an increase in amp flow… what wiring (if any) requires upgrade to a lower awg? or is this just not an issue?

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I have already upgraded my Alternator and battery wiring harness to 10 gauge. Primarily, because I did not like the looks of my OEM wires a couple of years ago, and because I started to use two batteries and a battery isolator.

I lost one of the batteries a year ago, and have not replaced it yet. So now I have one good Gel cell from Kragen (local autoparts).

But I would think the OEM wiring could not take much more than 100 amps.
 
Stock wiring is 10 gauge from the alternator down to the starter. 10 gauge wire is only good for 30 amps continuous. You need at least 6 gauge if you plan on running more than 100amps.
 
When I upgraded to the 140 amp alternator I also replaced the main alternator to battery wire with 4 gauge.
 
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Darn it. I don't want to re-wire it again...

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You can cheat and just run a 4-gauge wire from the alternator output to the plus side of the battery. It's a shorter run and far less hassle. That's how the factory did it on our '94 Sub. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Theoretically that run should be fused as well, but I don't know how you could fuse a 140 amp circuit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We have some bolt on 175 amp fuses at work I've considered trying.
 
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Theoretically that run should be fused as well, but I don't know how you could fuse a 140 amp circuit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We have some bolt on 175 amp fuses at work I've considered trying.

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Might be able to use a fusible link. BUT, I doubt even a fusible link could take 140 amps.

Anyways, I got one from a 84 Chevrolet Corvette with Air. It's rated 108 amps, but the manufacturer rates it at 124 amps and it's only $74.99! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I get 13.7 volts at idle now with my fans on! YAAHH!!
 
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Theoretically that run should be fused as well, but I don't know how you could fuse a 140 amp circuit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We have some bolt on 175 amp fuses at work I've considered trying.

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Might be able to use a fusible link. BUT, I doubt even a fusible link could take 140 amps.

Anyways, I got one from a 84 Chevrolet Corvette with Air. It's rated 108 amps, but the manufacturer rates it at 124 amps and it's only $74.99! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I get 13.7 volts at idle now with my fans on! YAAHH!!

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Cool, I'm going to get me one of those alternators next time I'm home.


You can use a fusible link. I've seen them as big as 600 amps. I know Littlefuse makes them. I think their "cheap" product line is the CablePro line of fusible links. I know back in the day the "cheap" source for 80 amp fusible links was to get one for a Talon TSi. However, there is nothing cheap about fusible links.
 
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However, there is nothing cheap about fusible links.

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They're on my list of "extra stuff" that I look for when I visit the junkyard. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif A handful of 'em might cost $1. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
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Might be able to use a fusible link. BUT, I doubt even a fusible link could take 140 amps.

Anyways, I got one from a 84 Chevrolet Corvette with Air. It's rated 108 amps, but the manufacturer rates it at 124 amps and it's only $74.99! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I get 13.7 volts at idle now with my fans on! YAAHH!!

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Cool, I'm going to get me one of those alternators next time I'm home.


You can use a fusible link. I've seen them as big as 600 amps. I know Littlefuse makes them. I think their "cheap" product line is the CablePro line of fusible links. I know back in the day the "cheap" source for 80 amp fusible links was to get one for a Talon TSi. However, there is nothing cheap about fusible links.

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Unfortunately, it tooks a little work to make it fit. The bracket on the bottom doesn't bolt up. I still used it.

And it required a change of the pulleys...

The one from an 84 vette, apparently uses the serpentine belts. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
It took a 15/16" socket to change the pulleys.
 
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