Hello Guest

Difficulty in Alternator Swap

  • 13 Replies
  • 3393 Views

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« on: August 11, 2003, 05:26:50 AM »
How hard is it to swap over the alternator and use one of the many kits that are being offered for around $25? Also, If I make the swap, what alternator exactly am I going to be looking for, as in what make and model of car or truck will it work with?

I've just bought a Warn 8000lb multi-mount winch, and I've only got one battery. I'm planning on jumping to two batteries, but without an alternator upgrade, I'm spinning my wheels. I've heard you can go as much as a 120 amp alternator, is this true??

Does anybody know what you call the item that allows you to charge both batteries with one alternator, and allows you to use both batteries for starting the motor? I can't remember the name of the damn thing to save my life.

Thanks for any input guys
Matt


86 Sammy
32" Swampers, Swift TBI, on-board air, Warn 8000Lbs, loc rite in rear with Sidekick hybrid 4:26 gears, GRS1 Tcase. custom rear coils  Never finished!!!

*

Offline jonald

  • 94
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
  • Corvallis, OR
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2003, 03:01:08 PM »
You are asking about an isolation relay.  It will alow you to charge two batteries off of one alternator.  Check with an RV dealer for one.

I can't give you part numbers but as I understand it, you can go up to 125 amps and they are mostly GM alternators.

Roadless Gear advertises a complete kit including the bracket, the harness, belt, and a 78  amp alternator for $149.  Seems like it was an 85 amp alternator kit for $125 a couple of weeks ago.
Jonald
Diesel Samurai on a budget - Sold
97 Sidekick Sport

*

jdraper

Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2003, 01:54:58 AM »
The kits are easy to use to put a GM alternator in a Sammy.  The alternator you need is a GM 10si or 12si.  They were very common in almost all GM V8 equipped cars in the 70's and 80's.  I think I called the auto parts store about a 78 Camaro.

Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2003, 03:58:38 AM »
Thanks guys.  I ran my winch this weekend a few times with my new battery, and I figure if I stuff another battery under the hood with an isolator, as well as this alternator upgrade, she should be a real smoker.  It actually worked pretty well with just the one battery, but I was a little edgy about it, considering I was a long way from home.
Matt


86 Sammy
32" Swampers, Swift TBI, on-board air, Warn 8000Lbs, loc rite in rear with Sidekick hybrid 4:26 gears, GRS1 Tcase. custom rear coils  Never finished!!!

*

Offline 86zukiman

  • 3
  • 0
  • I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2003, 03:00:36 PM »
you can use a 65 amp from any 70 - 80 gm car and then contact jcwitney for their high amp alt kit and go up to as high as 180 amps

*

Offline Bigzook

  • *
  • 2206
  • 13
  • Gender: Male
  • Current owner of the famous Audi Kick
    • Donkey Worx Galleries
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2003, 04:47:57 PM »
1984 chevy caprice....came with just about every amp chevy alternator there was. Personally I use the 94 amp. Good balance of power compared to price. I also have an isolater with 2 optima red tops. Its soo nice knowing that I can leave somethin on all night and still be able to start the rig in the morn.

*

Offline mahimahimo

  • 377
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2003, 09:34:51 AM »
i found a place that can make a 200 amp alternator...i need one becaue even withmy 950 amp battery..... heres the link to the guy who can custom build one for u....
excessiveamperage.com

« Last Edit: October 19, 2003, 12:37:40 PM by ebewley »

*

Offline mahimahimo

  • 377
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2003, 09:36:01 AM »
i meant to say even with my 950 amp batt my sterio drains so much  juice

*

Offline cj

  • 1276
  • 0
  • I drive a really big ATV
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2003, 12:05:42 PM »
What you need are Deep Cycle batteries to deal with the stereo. Check out the Optima yellow top.

*

Offline mahimahimo

  • 377
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2003, 02:12:07 PM »
i have one already adn it helped a little but i still deff need an alternator...i have a deep cycle lightnigh audio 950 amp batt.... lemme tellu what i have  then u see y i need  a new alternator...i have two rockford fosgat hx2 ten inch subs ( 1000 watts each) i have a rockford fosgate 1501db power series amplifier ( puts out bout 1500 wats rms) and jbl power series 4 inch speakers all around, a 1.2 farad cap wit digital read out, and a pioneer premier dual face head unit....so im drainen that bat prett quick befor the new batt i would drain it in bout 8 seconds with a bass testing cd...and then after 8 seconds the batt wouldnt put out enogh power to keep the subs goin...now after the new batt i get bout 45 seconds with a bass cd before the system cuts out cause to little power...so i deff need a new alternator

*

Offline cj

  • 1276
  • 0
  • I drive a really big ATV
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2003, 02:00:14 PM »
Alternator? Nah, you need a trailer with a generator!!! ;D

*

Offline NY_SIDEKICKER

  • 2274
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
  • YOU WANNA RACE THE ZUKE !
    • OBSESSIVE BEHAVIOR !
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2003, 02:36:04 PM »
I'D SAY MORE LIKELY THAT YOUR GONNA NEED A HEARING AIDE  ;D ::) :o ;)  

*

Offline mahimahimo

  • 377
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2003, 02:04:05 AM »
 lol i no thanx for the generator tip i might try taht lol

*

Offline Natebert

  • 1098
  • 0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Difficulty in Alternator Swap
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2003, 04:06:09 PM »
Quote
You are asking about an isolation relay.  It will alow you to charge two batteries off of one alternator.  Check with an RV dealer for one.

I can't give you part numbers but as I understand it, you can go up to 125 amps and they are mostly GM alternators.

Roadless Gear advertises a complete kit including the bracket, the harness, belt, and a 78  amp alternator for $149.  Seems like it was an 85 amp alternator kit for $125 a couple of weeks ago.


That seems like a good price; harness, belt, bracket AND alternator.  I must jump on such a beast.  Then take the alternator and have extra windings added for the extra amperage needed for a winch.

~Nate
« Last Edit: October 23, 2003, 04:07:50 PM by natebert »