Alternator ??????

[Damien2003]

I was told that i can put a high output 170amp-200amp altenator in to run all the things i have in my marauder. I'm on my 3rd altenator within 1 1/2 yrs, good thing i got that warranty when i got the car. Had to take my subs out until figured out what to do, no bass and it sucks.

[Zack]

Have you done a wire upgrade from the alternator post to the power distribution block yet?

Are you buying OEM alternators or lifetime warranty JUNK from FLAPS?

[MrBluGruv]

I was told that i can put a high output 170amp-200amp altenator in to run all the things i have in my marauder. I'm on my 3rd altenator within 1 1/2 yrs, good thing i got that warranty when i got the car. Had to take my subs out until figured out what to do, no bass and it sucks.


Had a similar problem to yours, if the alternator bearings keep going you may want to make sure your idler pulleys are in top shape as well as if you have a quality brand belt in the right length for your motor.

[fastblackmerc]

I just installed a NEW 250amp DB Electrical alternator (no pulley clutch). I also upgraded the stock wires (from alternator to battery, from battery to ground & from ground to engine) with 2ga wire.

Alternator:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN0775.jpg

New battery terminals:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1135.jpg

Engine to ground wire:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1136.jpg

Alternator to battery:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1138.jpg

More alternator to battery & negative battery cable:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1137.jpg

Also added a battery tender:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1139.jpg

[Zack]

250 amps in a tiny 4g case is a ticking time bomb, especially with ZERO clearance in the back of the alternator for cooling...where the most important component is located (the bridge rectifier)

[NonaDAbove]

I just installed a NEW 250amp DB Electrical alternator (no pulley clutch). I also upgraded the stock wires (from alternator to battery, from battery to ground & from ground to engine) with 2ga wire.


Geez! So, do you use that setup to power your flux capacitor? That looks nice!

[tjl006]

I found I get lower charging volts at idle with my DB 250 amp and get a squeel after hard acceleration. I am thinking of going back to stock.

[MrBluGruv]

and get a squeel after hard acceleration


My old Galant did that, pretty sure that's from the pulley not being clutched. I may also not be understanding the scenario you're doing this in though.

[fastblackmerc]

I found I get lower charging volts at idle with my DB 250 amp and get a squeel after hard acceleration. I am thinking of going back to stock.

No squeal with mine and it charges at 14.2 - 14.6.

[fastblackmerc]

Geez! So, do you use that setup to power your flux capacitor? That looks nice!

Thanks! :beer::beer:

[fastblackmerc]

I found I get lower charging volts at idle with my DB 250 amp and get a squeel after hard acceleration. I am thinking of going back to stock.

I'd do the wiring upgrade first.

[Ktorres1]

Man that engine bay is sweet!!!!! Props Jim on a clean setup.

[EMAS]

I found I get lower charging volts at idle with my DB 250 amp and get a squeel after hard acceleration. I am thinking of going back to stock.

Lower idle output is a common issue with many alternators that have been modified to put out more than the max OE for the design series. Shorter life is not uncommon either, if the alternator is frequently called upon to deliver it's full output.

What is the source of the alternators that are failing. Most of the ones available at you FLAPS have not been rebuilt, they have been repaired, cleaning them and only replacing the part that had failed.

NAPA does offer some 100% new alternators, not likely for our application though. The other good option is to find a good old school Mom & Pop local electrical re-builder. That clutch pulley may throw them for a loop though.

[tjl006]

I'd do the wiring upgrade first.

Wiring upgrade was done #2 welding cable. My battery is in the trunk though. Never has a problem though when I had the factory alternator.

[computertech]

Very nice fastblackmerc !!! :burnout:

[fastblackmerc]

Lower idle output is a common issue with many alternators that have been modified to put out more than the max OE for the design series. Shorter life is not uncommon either, if the alternator is frequently called upon to deliver it's full output.

What is the source of the alternators that are failing. Most of the ones available at you FLAPS have not been rebuilt, they have been repaired, cleaning them and only replacing the part that had failed.

NAPA does offer some 100% new alternators, not likely for our application though. The other good option is to find a good old school Mom & Pop local electrical re-builder. That clutch pulley may throw them for a loop though.

Or go to DB Electrical. Brand new alternators from stock output to my 250amp output.

http://www.db-starter-alternator.com/c-4205-46-liter.aspx

[fastblackmerc]

Very nice fastblackmerc !!! :burnout:

Thanks! :beer::beer::beer:

[EMAS]

Or go to DB Electrical. Brand new alternators from stock output to my 250amp output.

http://www.db-starter-alternator.com/c-4205-46-liter.aspx


Their ones that are not exact replacements sound like a recipe for short battery life with their quoted 14.5v voltage regulator set point.

I notice they use an OD pulley on the HO versions, to avoid the low idle output issue. That could explain why I read 1 member had a squealing belt issue with their HO DB alternator.

[fastblackmerc]

Their ones that are not exact replacements sound like a recipe for short battery life with their quoted 14.5v voltage regulator set point.

I notice they use an OD pulley on the HO versions, to avoid the low idle output issue. That could explain why I read 1 member had a squealing belt issue with their HO DB alternator.

What is an "O/D" pulley? It's a regular pulley, not a clutch pulley. Same diameter as the stock pulley.

[EMAS]

What is an "O/D" pulley? It's a regular pulley, not a clutch pulley. Same diameter as the stock pulley.

My mistake upon re-reading it appears the Overdrive pulley is included but not installed, according to the current page for the 250 amp unit.

However if someone chose to install it I can see it's diameter being enough smaller to reduce the tension on a stock belt.

[fastblackmerc]

My mistake upon re-reading it appears the Overdrive pulley is included but not installed, according to the current page for the 250 amp unit.

However if someone chose to install it I can see it's diameter being enough smaller to reduce the tension on a stock belt.

You can see that from a picture.... :shake::shake::shake:

I actually installed one.

There is no "Overdrive " pulley that came with the unit.

Like I stated...

The diameter is exactly the same as stock.

Why would there be less tension on the belt?

The tension on the belt is the same as the stock pulley since we have an automatic belt tensioner.

The ONLY difference is the pulley has no clutch.

[EMAS]

I actually installed one.

There is no "Overdrive " pulley that came with the unit.


When I went to the link you posted it cam up with High Output or Stock output. I clicked on High Output and then clicked on 250 amp and found this.


With Free Overdrive Pulley(a $24.95 Value) included at no extra charge!An overdrive pulley is a smaller diameter pulley than your original equipment pulley.When installed, this allows more alternator current output at idle speed.

So maybe they didn't include one when you purchased yours but currently they do include a overdrive pulley.

A smaller diameter pulley will in effect make the stock length belt too long. Yes an auto tensioner is used but it has a limited range where it works as it should. The tension applied to the belt does vary depending on where in it's normal range it is operating. So the effect of a "longer" belt is to reduce the operating tension.

[MrBluGruv]

That overdrive part doesn't compute in my head at all...

I thought U/D were smaller diameter?

I'm totally lost now.


*edit* just bothered to actually read and learn something, shows what I didn't know. :/

[3CzSCrewHead*]

I was told that i can put a high output 170amp-200amp altenator in to run all the things i have in my marauder. I'm on my 3rd altenator within 1 1/2 yrs, good thing i got that warranty when i got the car. Had to take my subs out until figured out what to do, no bass and it sucks.

JA! i feel ya with out me bOOM, i felt naked.
I got an omptima!!!!!
Do to the X's i was having a slugish start and lot dimming throught Car.
Volt meter was always around tens highest 11, with Optima strong 14's 15's (with the expeCtion of WOT).
On Alternator i was gonna get niCe shinny Crome one but 4bills so ****c's that i am going to send it to this plaCe where the guy who works on my Car reCommends ill let you know how it dose if you want in!

[3CzSCrewHead*]

i just installed a new 250amp db electrical alternator (no pulley clutch). I also upgraded the stock wires (from alternator to battery, from battery to ground & from ground to engine) with 2ga wire.

Alternator:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/mm%20mods/250%20amp%20alternator/dscn0775.jpg

new battery terminals:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/mm%20mods/250%20amp%20alternator/dscn1135.jpg

engine to ground wire:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/mm%20mods/250%20amp%20alternator/dscn1136.jpg

alternator to battery:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/mm%20mods/250%20amp%20alternator/dscn1138.jpg

more alternator to battery & negative battery cable:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/mm%20mods/250%20amp%20alternator/dscn1137.jpg

also added a battery tender:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/mm%20mods/250%20amp%20alternator/dscn1139.jpg



nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[fastblackmerc]

When I went to the link you posted it cam up with High Output or Stock output. I clicked on High Output and then clicked on 250 amp and found this.



So maybe they didn't include one when you purchased yours but currently they do include a overdrive pulley.

A smaller diameter pulley will in effect make the stock length belt too long. Yes an auto tensioner is used but it has a limited range where it works as it should. The tension applied to the belt does vary depending on where in it's normal range it is operating. So the effect of a "longer" belt is to reduce the operating tension.
The belt tensioner is right in the middle of it's range.