150 Amp Alternators
06-22-2015, 11:10 AM
#1
Developer
Thread Starter
150 Amp Alternators
There is a conversation being had over here to offer 150 Amp alternators in the modern format we use for our 200 Amp units.
The benefit would be charging at idle. From my manufacturer, he tells me:
I'm willing to have this alternator made up and offer it if there is an interest.
The benefit would be charging at idle. From my manufacturer, he tells me:
" The 150 amp version makes better low RPM output anyway, and is still plenty for amperage for 99% of cars out there, even if they have added electric fans and such. The 150 amp unit makes nearly double the idle output of the stock unit, and does not require a larger pulley for proper charging performance. The use of the larger pulley reduces belt slip, and also helps prevent RPM related failures."
06-22-2015, 04:06 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Stuck in traffic, raining with defrost on(means AC is running) plus lights and wipers, then the big pusher fan comes on... For some this will be a non-issue. For me, the issue was bad enough with just AC on a hot day, draining my battery in traffic, heating up and losing oil pressure. In the foul-weather conditions noted above the stock alternator was nowhere near adequate.
Granted, later cars can mount smaller alternator pulleys due to the flat belt and perhaps avoid having an issue here. But early cars with larger v-belt pulleys are more likely to have an issue.
Carl, is this the same basic alternator you have been selling, but with different windings for low RPM output? If so, what would be the cost to re-jigger an existing alternator to this new spec?
06-22-2015, 04:36 PM
#7
^^This is my problem too. I'm interested! Pricing please.
Lights on, AC on, fans on, wipers on, radio on...and the needle just goes down, down, down.... (sick feeling starts)
Did they just engineer this car to just barely make enough juice?
Lights on, AC on, fans on, wipers on, radio on...and the needle just goes down, down, down.... (sick feeling starts)
Did they just engineer this car to just barely make enough juice?
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06-22-2015, 05:13 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Not my favorite use case, but it is a use case that I encounter and when I do, I don't need the added stress of watching my voltmeter drop and having to rev the engine to get it to keep up with demand.
They did not, but I did, or at least I made an effort that brought me most of the way there. They engineered it to run at top speed all day on the autobahn and as use cases go that's just wishful thinking on CA freeways. Wishful thinking does not keep my battery charged.
They did not, but I did, or at least I made an effort that brought me most of the way there. They engineered it to run at top speed all day on the autobahn and as use cases go that's just wishful thinking on CA freeways. Wishful thinking does not keep my battery charged.
06-22-2015, 07:19 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Not my favorite use case, but it is a use case that I encounter and when I do, I don't need the added stress of watching my voltmeter drop and having to rev the engine to get it to keep up with demand.
They did not, but I did, or at least I made an effort that brought me most of the way there. They engineered it to run at top speed all day on the autobahn and as use cases go that's just wishful thinking on CA freeways. Wishful thinking does not keep my battery charged.
They did not, but I did, or at least I made an effort that brought me most of the way there. They engineered it to run at top speed all day on the autobahn and as use cases go that's just wishful thinking on CA freeways. Wishful thinking does not keep my battery charged.
The gauge measurement is at best, not capable of being entirely used as a diagnostic tool on it's own.
"They engineered it to run at top speed all day "
No..they engineered the charging system to be >1000rpm, more than it is under it, and there is no problem...and unless you are consuming more amps than it can deliver at speed, then there is no -further- problem.
The generator on our Bonanza is 50a, it's only an issue if the nav lights are on, dash lights are on, red ceiling lights are on, landing light is on, strobes are on, and the taxi light is on.
Then its about 10a low at speed, and about 30a low at taxi RPMs, but this 10min of use in that configuration (pattern entry to parked) does not constitute a problem whatsoever for the next person that starts it, it's a negligible amount of energy lost.
And you are right. Wishful thinking doesn't keep it charged. Not sitting with everything on for 3hrs at unattended idle keeps it charged.
But, nobody does that.
