Need to figure out why I go through soo many alts....

[slick94prix]

I'm going to pick up a 150 Amp fuse to throw in line, just to be on the safe side. I'm going to run into work to do my connections(work in a car audio shop ), so I know they will be nice and tight. I'm going to mount my fuse holder to the firewall somewhere unnoticable, yet accessible. I have a good idea where I'm going to run my upgraded cables.

Now, for you guys that have upgraded the cables, what did you do about the battery posts?

[GndPrxRcr]

I'd just get a beefed up alternator. 160 amps + are readily available at reasonable prices. Then upgrade your cables. Go from the Alt. to the battery with at least 4 guage. Then run a separate 4 guage cable from the battery to the starter. Because on your car it probably goes from tha battery to the starter then to the alt. Plus make sure your grounds are good. You need a solid chassis to battery ground and at the same point, run another to the engine. Make sure your grounds are at least the same guage as your positive.

A side note on spacecadetz26 comment on jump starting. It is highly not rcommeded that you even start your car while jumping. Your battery has more than enough power to start the other car.

Lyle

yes if you do jump start your car you should get it to a charger later and give your battery a full recharge. this will help the life of the battery. but your not having problems with your battery.

i would install a heat shield around you alt. and check how tight you tensioner is on your belt. also check the shroud around the wheel well to make sure water isn't getting up there.

[GndPrxRcr]

I'm going to pick up a 150 Amp fuse to throw in line, just to be on the safe side. I'm going to run into work to do my connections(work in a car audio shop ), so I know they will be nice and tight. I'm going to mount my fuse holder to the firewall somewhere unnoticable, yet accessible. I have a good idea where I'm going to run my upgraded cables.

Now, for you guys that have upgraded the cables, what did you do about the battery posts?

you work in a car audio shop. do you have any amps in you car. if you do make sure you have a cap. put it in a parallel connection with your battery. it might also be a good idea to install a optima battery. this will help save you alt from the draws subwoofers put on them. you should already know this though.

[slick94prix]

I'm going to pick up a 150 Amp fuse to throw in line, just to be on the safe side. I'm going to run into work to do my connections(work in a car audio shop ), so I know they will be nice and tight. I'm going to mount my fuse holder to the firewall somewhere unnoticable, yet accessible. I have a good idea where I'm going to run my upgraded cables.

Now, for you guys that have upgraded the cables, what did you do about the battery posts?

you work in a car audio shop. do you have any amps in you car. if you do make sure you have a cap. put it in a parallel connection with your battery. it might also be a good idea to install a optima battery. this will help save you alt from the draws subwoofers put on them. you should already know this though.

Currently, I have nothing in my car, as I'm redo-ing my entire audio system. Thats the big reason behind figuring out my alt. problems, because an amplifier will be added here very shortly.

Caps do help, yes, but are excuses for not upgrading your electrical systesm (alt., grounds, battery, etc...).

And optima batteries are ALWAYS good choices.

[slick94prix]

Ok, got the alt. back, heres what was wrong with it:

The brushes were bad and the bearings were bad.

These are things that he fixed/beefed up:

Replaced the plastic cooling fins with metal fins

Welded the diodeds in

There was a missing cover plate on the back bearings, where the pos. connector is. He couldn't find one the correct size, so he made a plate out of a beer bottle cap.

He took it all apart too and cleaned the inside of it. Aparantly it was pretty dirty on the inside of the alt. as well. He also cleaned the casing and pulley up to make them look like new condition.

All for $75.

[Doubt_Incarnate]

usually bearings are from dirt getting in, or more than necessary tension from the belt. if i remeber the alts are down sorta under and in behind and stuff on tdc, your car isnt leaking anything into the alt is it?

[slick94prix]

usually bearings are from dirt getting in, or more than necessary tension from the belt. if i remeber the alts are down sorta under and in behind and stuff on tdc, your car isnt leaking anything into the alt is it?

Nope, nothing leaking. Correct, it is on the bottom of the engine. My car is lowered, so i probably do get some excessive amount of dirt and water there.

[93Oldsdroptop]

he made a plate out of a beer bottle cap

Ok, so what brand of beer? I hear that Miller Lite is best for improvising with alternators.

Seriously, my rebuilder told me the stock bearings were weak and the diodes as well.

That's what I paid to get the Olds' alternator rebuilt also.

Gotta go now, Eagles are on!