How an alternator works!

[GLN305]

I visit this forum to see what everyone is talking about even though I have a Dodge Dakota. Maybe you can help me with my alternator problem. I had it re-wound and at idle it doesn't put out the current I need. I am looking for a 7 or 8 rib pulley that's 1.9" in diamter or smaller that will work. The alternator is a 136-amp Nippon Denso and it's in a 2000 Dodge Dakota R/T. If you can help it would be great!! Thanks!

[Sammy004]

Hey bobby mac it looks like the one on the bottom pic.

[Bobby_Mac]

Looks like you may have to go aftermarket to get more power Sammy004.
AFAIK the alternator you have doesn't have any higher amp stator or rotar. Or we don't have any in our shop.
You can probably get yours rewound to get more juice form it.
The year of you truck showed that it had an optional 124amp alternator which is a big housing alternator.
like this:

Now i don't know if it will just plop in there. What i did on my truck was get an alternator similar to the one in the picture and used a different bracket to mount it. Braught it up to 140 amps.


GLN305:
Does it put out more or less at idle compared to before.
So im guessing its only at idle that it is not putting out the current you need, and if you rev it up then it put outs what you need?
If so then you can go to an alternator shop and tell them you got your alternator rewound and you want to try a smaller pulley on it. But if i put a smaller pulley on it make sure to check to see if you belt is tight enough. If you are going alot smaller then the belt may need to be changed.
Lemme see at work tomorrow how small of a pulley we have, also how small of a pulley we can get. So are you not sure on whether its a 7 or 8 groove pulley? I'll check for both.

[GLN305]

It is a 7-rib, but I have been told that I can use an 8-rib. My current pulley is 2.4" in diameter where the belt sits. Thanks for looking for me, you may be a savior if you can find one that works!! I forgot to say that it puts out less at idle than the factory unit. I think he may have gone too big on the stator...

[Sammy004]

Bobby-mac where can I get this 124 amp alternator from the high performance and do you have the model # of it. also would you know the amps of my alternater the stock one thats in there now.

[Bobby_Mac]

At the shop we call it CS-144 i think
In that casing you can get a 140amp version. You may have to go to a local Alternator shop and ask if they can make it fit in your truck. One of my co-workers made it fit in my truck, he had a bracket laying around and just modified it and it worked.
I beleive your stock alternator is either 100 or 105 amps.


GLN305: sorry it totally slipped my mind today. I'll make sure to check on that tomorrow. I'll write it on my forehead backwards or something.

[gomer23]

Right now I have my stock 105 amp alternator is there a limit to how big of an alternator I can get? Like, I'm going to be upgrading to something in the 200 range and want to make sure i won't have any problems.

[NTJeepster]

Originally posted by TigerEyz3
97Silverado... Great explanation!!!
redsled...I don't know if you are still looking for an alternator or not, but I just replaced mine - went from 105A to 220A. Call Dominick and tell him what you have and what you are looking for as far as output. He builds a wide output range of alts so at least one will suit your needs.

I would suggest contacting him before you purchase elsewhere. I have been very pleased with my purchase.

phone: 615-287-7991
Click here to email him

Hey TE mind telling what you paid for it ? thanx

[nn2004]

wow..

[Bob T]

How an alternator works? I thought the electrons were scared by the rotor spinning around and ran out the wire. The diodes won't let 'em back in so they gotta stay in the battery.

[nn2004]

Originally Posted by Bob T

How an alternator works? I thought the electrons were scared by the rotor spinning around and ran out the wire. The diodes won't let 'em back in so they gotta stay in the battery.

Sounds about right. Diodes are a one way street, and convert the AC current to DC current, so I understand...

[DenaliTX]

my new solution to my alternator problems

[TXChev496]

My alternator on my '04 2500HD is only putting out about half of the amperage that it is supposed to (it is a 145 amp alternator). I am replacing this alternator with a 250 amp alternator for my competition sound system because chevy wont warranty it. What would I need to fix the alternator as it is still working and not totally fried yet?? --Alex

[KÖNIGSTIGER]

Ok, Now I got a question or two:

Here's my current situation: Stock alternator and twin KC 150 watters. I need help, they just murdered my stock alternator and had to get it rebuilt (real cheap). I am currently looking at the possibility of adding two more 100 watters, and I obviously need a new alternator. My questions are:
1. How big? I was thinking 140A to 200A? What are some good brands, and does GM make an alternator that big for a 5.7L 350 1996 Vortec? I have A/C, power everything.
2. Will this alternator affect the battery, if so, how?

Thanks!

[macnoma99]

nice sticky

[cantburn]

great info...thanks

[Knuckles]

Can I keep the same voltage regulator?

[5.7L JWL]

does this work

[5.7L JWL]

Had a glich in the system...

Can someone answer this question? What would cause an alternator to "whine" but when you hook it up to diagnostics reader, everything is fine. All systems checkout good. It only has 10K mi. on it.

[Erich_121]

Originally Posted by 5.7L JWL

Had a glich in the system...

Can someone answer this question? What would cause an alternator to "whine" but when you hook it up to diagnostics reader, everything is fine. All systems checkout good. It only has 10K mi. on it.

I had someone tell me that they had a loose ground wire that made it whine which does make sense. CHeck all your connections