Alternator opinions

[SnoFJ]

I'm sure my alternator is on its last legs, I'm on vacation for another week and a half and I'm doing alot of driving deep into the mountains to visit snowboarding summits and the last thing I want is to have to get towed home.

My 80 is stock as far as electronics go (besides aftermarket head unit). My dilemma is do I just replace with a OE 80 amp that I can have in hand today, or would it be worth it to buy a 130amp tundra alternator + photoman bracket & smaller pulley. I don't have the need for the higher output at this moment, but a winch, speaker upgrade, and a few lights are likely within the next year.

That being said, would an 80amp be sufficient when I finally get around to adding the extra electrical parts mentioned? This is my daily driver and I just noticed the gauge moving quite a bit yesterday and my dash/headlights were dimming when using wipers & windows.

 

[inkpot]

My OEM alternator pulls my M12000 winch and driving lights just fine and I am running a single Interstate 27 F battery.

 

[baldilocks]

If you add up the stock 80 series full electrical load with engine running and all factory accessories turned on, it's about 60 to 65 amps but how often does this scenario ever happen? I have read that the stock alternator is conservatively rated so there is a fair amount of untapped capacity in the OEM denso alternator.

A dual battery set up far out weighs a 150A alternator because your batteries can recharge only so fast.

 

[baggar11]

Here's the direction I'm taking. I should get it installed this saturday.

HO Alternator Sneak Peak

If you plan on adding a winch, they have the ability to pull several hundred amps at a time during hard pulls. The more you can supply on demand, the better performance you'll get. In my opinion.

 

[Hornd]

Blue Sea ACR ~$80 Amazon
Toyota Battery Box ~$80 (1x1 Angle Iron and 1/4-20 Hold Down)
Costco Battery $90
Wire, Crimps, & Terminals ~$50

Run all your hungry accessories off this 2nd battery.

 

[Golgo13]

Dude, NEVER ask for opinions on here... you will get ALL of them!

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

Can you even get the photoman bracket anymore?

 

[retrofive]

Dude, NEVER ask for opinions on here... you will get ALL of them!

Even the alternate ones!

 

[chap79]

The factory alternator is rebuildable.

Brush Kit 27370-75060

Alternator clean and rebuild

 

[Chris Carrera]

The factory alternator is rebuildable.

Brush Kit 27370-75060

Alternator clean and rebuild

+1 on this! Replaced the brushes while the alternator was still mounted on the truck, easy fix!

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I recently found, and posted about, upgrading to a 140a rated (plus high amperage at lower rpm) alternator that requires grinding of the stock slider bracket, using a longer through bolt, and upgrading the charge cable - other than that, all is well and otherwise bolted in. I could keep the "mods" and go stock at any point....

Nobody else has (posted about, at least) done it yet. I'm 1000 miles or so deep with this alternator.

(Typing this on my phone.... from the 80).

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Many travel the world with a stock alt. I have never understood or seen the need for anything more.

 

[baldilocks]

Does anyone have experience with one of these? Looks like a good alternative to a dual battery set up. It jump starts and charges electronic devices and fits in your pocket.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

View attachment 1389182 Does anyone have experience with one of these? Looks like a good alternative to a dual battery set up. It jump starts and charges electronic devices and fits in your pocket.

Had one for a couple years now. I still have dual batteries but they are permanently wired together.

 

[baldilocks]

Had one for a couple years now. I still have dual batteries but they are permanently wired together.

Has it lived up to the manufactures claims?

 

[toyotaspeed90]

If you add up the stock 80 series full electrical load with engine running and all factory accessories turned on, it's about 60 to 65 amps but how often does this scenario ever happen? I have read that the stock alternator is conservatively rated so there is a fair amount of untapped capacity in the OEM denso alternator.

I did a single pull with my 8k winch, then the LEDS bar got left on when one of the pups accidentally turned it on (less than an hour, new battery)... and on the drive had lights, high beams, defrost, front and rear heaters, front wipers (cold, downpour), hit the rear wiper and it killed the stock alternator....

May not happen a lot, but when you add components, there isn't a lot of wiggle room.

 

[baldilocks]

I did a single pull with my 8k winch, then the LEDS bar got left on when one of the pups accidentally turned it on (less than an hour, new battery)... and on the drive had lights, high beams, defrost, front and rear heaters, front wipers (cold, downpour), hit the rear wiper and it killed the stock alternator....

May not happen a lot, but when you add components, there isn't a lot of wiggle room.

And your stereo draws how much??

 

[toyotaspeed90]

And your stereo draws how much??

I did a lot of stereo stuff in other cars..... this just has a pioneer HU that's always low volume, and the OEM amp is removed, so.... there goes that theory

 

[baldilocks]

I did a lot of stereo stuff in other cars..... this just has a pioneer HU that's always low volume, and the OEM amp is removed, so.... there goes that theory

I can promise you that Toyota did not spec the 80 with an alternator that is incapable of powering the sum of all essential and nonessential electrical loads. Your alternator was week due to age or a poorly remanufactured unit.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I can promise you that Toyota did not spec the 80 with an alternator that is incapable of powering the sum of all essential and nonessential electrical loads. Your alternator was week due to age or a poorly remanufactured unit.

You're right - it was the original alternator with over 300k miles, a possibly partially drained battery to not assist with load management, and additional components installed...

What also wasn't mentioned is that as our vehicles get older, wiring connections get looser and wiring can become corroded- meaning items may very well exceed their original amperage requirements.

The OP said with time they plan to add items that may put the system under stress, so if there's a possibility that they will need more than an 80a unit and currently questioning the abilities of their alternator- the smart suggestion is to spend the money once.

I could have saved $100 in the short run - butn I've made too many "short run" decisions on cars (and even my 40) that makes me think about the long run. So $100 with very minimal work required and nearly doubling my output - why not.