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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: CBTracker on March 28, 2005, 12:55:18 PM

Title: Alternate Alternator
Post by: CBTracker on March 28, 2005, 12:55:18 PM
So my alternator went a couple of days ago. decided 14 volts wasn't enough, and 18+ was better, so needless to say it's not just the regulator and it'll be cheaper to replace the whole thing, anyone have any suggestions? I have a light bar now, and an amplifier for my stereo, in the future I'd like to grab a winch for it, so there's alot of load on it. Does anyone know what would be a good investment, something not too expensive but that wouln't have to be replaced if I get a winch? Oh, I'll try to post pics of my new lightbar this week, good for all ye soft-toppers  :-[
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Natebert on March 29, 2005, 04:30:45 AM
Running 18+ volts will burn up most light bulbs in half of the time.  They are nice and bright, but you'll be replacing them often.


~Nate
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Bobzooki on March 29, 2005, 04:34:36 AM
With all those accessories, you don't need more VOLTS, you need more AMPS.  I think you can put on a GM alternator that's good for 100 amps, instead of the factory 55 or 60 or whatever it is.
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Natebert on March 29, 2005, 04:35:52 AM
Get an Optima Deep Cycle (yellow top).  It will maintain it's 12 volts over a longer draw then a high cycle battery.

~Nate
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: mrfuelish on March 29, 2005, 06:57:14 AM
ya 14.7 is about max on the volt side, any more your stereo would not like it too much.
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Mikerpm4x4 on March 29, 2005, 07:03:10 AM
I would run a stock alt and an optima yellow top. I run a system and a winch and I have no problems at all. Plus the Optima will last forever in a zuk. Mine has almost 400,000 miles on it between the 2 tracker its been in. I bought mine like 6 or 7 years ago.

Mike
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: CBTracker on March 29, 2005, 07:37:31 AM
I don't want to run more volts, that's my problem, the old alternator is running too many. The regulator went in the alternator causing it to put out 18+volts and therefore damaging my battery. hence me having to buy another one.  :P Sorry for the confusion. So can I purchase a 100amp alternator insted of the stock 55amp one without destroying electronics or wiring? I'd rather my truck not catch of fire. he he
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Natebert on March 29, 2005, 07:41:42 AM
Ah, i re-read that.

Your alternator decided that 18+ volts was what it wanted to put out...

I'd think that most stock alternators work pretty good.  Some automotive electronic places can ad more coils and get a few more amps out of it (re-winds).  I think you can get fabricate bracketry to get a GM alternator on the motor too.  (lots of amperage choices there)  but I've never done it.

Good luck
~Nate
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Maiden Hell on March 29, 2005, 12:48:25 PM
So an Optima Yellow Top with a stock alt works well even if you have fog lights and a bitchn audio system?

If that's the case, then replacing a battery is a hell of a lot easier then trying to put in a GM alternator.
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Digger on March 29, 2005, 03:19:44 PM
I'm running a stock alternator with an Optima Yellow top also and it runs my system, winch and extra lights just fine...
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Agent Orange on March 29, 2005, 03:57:31 PM
sadly this is information i could have used a few months ago. my battery died, so i replaced it with a canadian tire economy version.  :(
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: cj on March 29, 2005, 10:28:01 PM
I'm running a stock alternator and an Optima yellow top too with a winch and lights but I am currrently looking at high output options at the moment as I run an auto and would just feel a bit happier knowing I had more going into the battery.
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: JDMFUK on March 30, 2005, 05:59:18 AM
I just installed a premier power welder with a 160 amp alternator in a 92 sammy. I have one optima yellow and am going to get an isolator and run two optima yellows. You can get the premier alternator and regulator without the welder for about $400 I think.
Title: Re: Alternate Alternator
Post by: Maiden Hell on March 30, 2005, 10:43:52 AM
Quote
sadly this is information i could have used a few months ago. my battery died, so i replaced it with a canadian tire economy version.  :(


Dude, the cause of my agonies last month were supposedly the CT battery's fault that I had in there.... :( >:(