Which "high performance" alternator?

[GoGoGirl]

It seems the 78 amp alternator I have just won't cut it for nighttime snow plowing. The truck died with the lights, heater, plow, and wipers all running at once. This is the first time I did any extensive night driving beyond moving the truck so that I could move another car. Perhaps 78A is enough for just headlights and wipers, but I think I will need more power when plowing.

Without knowing exactly how much power I am using, I am guessing I need maintain around 80 to 90A for these nighttime long-term plowing expeditions.

Looking around the 'net, it seems the price point for something that is rated 100A is around $100 to $105 shipped. I like that because it's affordable, but I want something that will last. I would pay a little more if I had to, but let's look at the options around that price. Which brands are decent? Proform seems to be popular, but they may just be widely available.

Any input appreciated

 

[dyeager535]

I think most will agree that the CS130 or 144 alternators are worth upgrading to. The 130 is a lighter duty one (I think 105A is the normal output) and the 144 is the heavier duty of the two. It's mounting is a bit different than the the 12SI (The older style I assume you have) or CS130 as I recall.

Both the 130 and 144 provide better output at low RPM's than the previous versions. The swap is pretty common, so there is a bunch of information out there, the only tricky parts are the wiring and pulleys, fitment is fairly straightforward, modify/adapt brackets as needed. I want to say the 130 was pretty much a bolt in for the 12SI in terms of fitment.

I've been running the CS130 on my truck for quite a few years now, no complaints with the alternator itself. I had a problem with the adapter plug, but that was a design flaw.

 

[Big Ray]

Pontiac transport alt, 140 amps stock.

 

[campfire]

It seems the 78 amp alternator I have just won't cut it for nighttime snow plowing. The truck died with the lights, heater, plow, and wipers all running at once. This is the first time I did any extensive night driving beyond moving the truck so that I could move another car. Perhaps 78A is enough for just headlights and wipers, but I think I will need more power when plowing.

Without knowing exactly how much power I am using, I am guessing I need maintain around 80 to 90A for these nighttime long-term plowing expeditions.

Looking around the 'net, it seems the price point for something that is rated 100A is around $100 to $105 shipped. I like that because it's affordable, but I want something that will last. I would pay a little more if I had to, but let's look at the options around that price. Which brands are decent? Proform seems to be popular, but they may just be widely available.

Any input appreciated

Is this for the CUCV?

 

[GoGoGirl]

Is this for the CUCV?

Yes, sorry for not clarifying.

My CUCV is a single-battery 12V conversion. Recent research indicates the engine is most likely a late 80s 454, not a late 70s 350 as previously thought. That's according to a serial number I located on a valve cover. For what it's worth, as they say.

 

[campfire]

Yes, sorry for not clarifying.

My CUCV is a single-battery 12V conversion. Recent research indicates the engine is most likely a late 80s 454, not a late 70s 350 as previously thought. That's according to a serial number I located on a valve cover. For what it's worth, as they say.

Do you still have the bracket for the second battery? Or the power busses on the firewall?

 

[GoGoGirl]

Do you still have the bracket for the second battery? Or the power busses on the firewall?

Sorry for the tremendous delay in replying, but I hadn't had time to work on this issue any more. Things seemed to have resolved themselves with a new alternator belt and cleaning the drive pulleys.

I do not have the bus bar on the firewall, nor any of the original battery trays. At least the trays aren't installed...I believe I have them in the box of parts that the PO gave me.