HO Alternator options

[CruisinGA]

I need better ouput than my current 45 amp alternator can do. (Already upgraded once from the stock 30 amp).

Mounting is not a problem, neither is wiring.

I just need to know where to look for a suitable alternator.

I have looked into the one-wire CS-130 and CS-144 alternators. Ease of wiring is not a big deal with me, I would rather have a two or three wire alternator if that means anything in reliability.

Since I have a winch, and will be soon adding a number of rock and driving lights, I want something with at least an 80 amp output, 100 would be nice.

Not really interested in the fancy HO custom dual rectifier units or anything like that. I'm much more of a used part/remanufactured NAPA part type guy... (something where a replacement/spare can be easily/inexpensively sourced)

Basically, what car/truck do I need to look for at the picknpull, or what should I tell the parts jockey I need?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Degnol]

Bailey, I think if you source one from a 3/4 ot 1 ton Suburban or truck with tow package you will find something that falls in the 80-130 amp range. I just went out and tried to find the specs on my '03 2500 'Burb and could not, but IIRC it is 130A.
GL
and Merry Christmas!

Ed

 

[Morse_FJ40]

I just went down to a electric shop and had them build me a chev 1 wire 100 amp alt. It works great.

thanks
Ryan

 

[lone gunman]

if a chevy alternater will work for you just go to napa and get one for a 84 chevy camaro. they are rated between 95 and 105 amps and put out 55 amps at 1200 rpm and can be had at any parts place.

 

[Pin_Head]

Any GM auto or truck 1996 to 2001 will have the 105 amp CD130D, unless it has the larger CS144/ The CS 130 D has a more rounded shape case.

 

[CruisinGA]

Charlie- is the stock CS130D a 1-2-or 3 wire setup?

 

[Poser]

Bailey, hit the FAQ.



There is a PILE of info on GM alts in there calling out EXACTLY what you are looking for.

 

[Pin_Head]

I believe that there are 4-5 wires, but only two are needed: the one to the battery through a fusible link and the the other from the ignition switch.

 

[CruisinGA]

Thanks Steve and Charlie.

Did some more reading through the FAQ, (checked the tech pages earlier, but forgot about the FAQ ) and it looks like a good old stock 80 amp 12SI Delco alternator will fit the bill.

(easy mounting, commonly *cheaply* available, reliable)

Thanks!

 

[drohweder]

There is a 95a 12SI, think its off a 83 Camaro. Only cost $60 at Vatozone.

 

[Pin_Head]

it looks like a good old stock 80 amp 12SI Delco alternator will fit the bill.

(easy mounting, commonly *cheaply* available, reliable)

Thanks!

But you said that you wanted at least 80 amps and most of the 12SIs are 78.

You are just as likely to encounter a CS130 in junk yards for the same price and they are 105 amps. They are in 86-94 GM cars and trucks. If anything, the CS130 is smaller profile than the 12SI, but not by much, so I am guessing that mounting them would be the same.

 

[CruisinGA]

Charlie- If I hit the junkyard I am going to keep my eye open for CS-130/144 alternators for sure. I might end up buying an alternator new or rebuilt, (junkyards are a 30 min drive and not that good around here) and in that case the 12si seems to be significantly cheaper. ($60 vs $100 plus)

105 amps aure would be nice, either way this is going to be a big improvement over my stock charging system for sure.

Once i get the alternator installed, I have to finally decide whether to do the external shunt at the battery to keep the stock ammeter functional (dead guages really bug me) or just go the easy route and install a voltmeter.

Thanks!

 

[lone gunman]

the 84 camaro i mentioned above is a 12si

 

[handcannon]

CruisinGA

I am right in the middle of the same CS 130 alt mod. I have the F engine and put on the 2F alt bracket. The 2F bracket will need to have the inside of the mounting ears that hold the alt ground off just a little bit to allow the GM alt to slip in. I did find that the pulley alignment was about 1/4" off. So, I made an adapter that fit into the 2F bracket, setting the alt up above the 2F bracket ears and offset the GM alt forward 1/4". I am too short on time tonight to get my son to help me put up some pics. I am leaving at 4:00 A.M. in the morning for a couple days for my job, but I will be back Friday and may be able to get my son to help me post some pics if you would like some.

 

[PabloCruise]

I need better ouput than my current 45 amp alternator can do. (Already upgraded once from the stock 30 amp).

What makes you say the above?

Are you ending up with dead batteries after a week of short, in-town, driving?

 

[Pin_Head]

You can use the stock amp meter and the new fusible link between the amp meter and battery as an external shunt.

1) remove the existing white wire between the battery and amp meter.
2) remove the white wires w blue stripe from the - side of the amp meter, connect them together and insulate them well. This will connect the chassis feed to the B+ lug of the alternator.
3) Run another 8 ga wire from the B+ lug of the alternator through a 150A fusible link to the + post of the battery.
4) Remove the internal shunt (brass strap between the two lugs) from the amp meter.
5) run 18 ga wires (each with a 1 amp fuse) from the + and - sides of the gauge to the fusible link. Connect the + wire to the battery side of the link and the - wire to the alternator side of the link.

The meter will correctly indicate the current through the fusible link, but you will have to calibrate it by passing a known amount of current to tell the exact amount. If the reading is too high, move the wires closer together on the link.

 

[CruisinGA]

CruisinGA

I am right in the middle of the same CS 130 alt mod.

Thanks for the help, but no need for pics, I already have a custom alternator bracket due to my on board air setup.

What makes you say the above?
Are you ending up with dead batteries after a week of short, in-town, driving?

No, my current system works ok. With the kind of wheeling I do, I end up using my winch hard, frequently (for the jeeps, obviously ), the stock alternator is simply not capable of keeping up with that kind of winch use. For the occaisional pull, it is fine. Not to mention the factory charging system, routing all the current into the cab, through the ammeter is inefficient and dangerous.

You can use the stock amp meter and the new fusible link between the amp meter and battery as an external shunt.

Thanks for the suggestion! The 150 amp marine shunts I was planning on using aren't cheap...