Most factory alternators are rated at 65 to 100 amps and are capable of handling your vehicle's basic necessities, such as headlights, gauges, fuel pumps, A/C, etc. These alternators also typically come with a 10 to 15 percent reserve to handle additional accessories.
How can I tell the amperage of my alternator?
Look for a diagram under or near your fuse box cover. It will have individual amperage numbers (sometimes along with volts) already set by the manufacturer. Add up those numbers to find what amperage your alternator needs to feed the car's electrical system. Verify this number with the part manufacturer, if necessary.
Is a 160 amp alternator good?
The high amp alternator will give you more replacement juice if you are running any high amp load appliances. The 160 amp is known to be used on emergency vehicles that are at a standstill and still running lots of 12v power thru said appliances.
How many amps is a high output alternator?
High-output alternators are typically rated at 140 to 225 amps . The better units can produce 70 to 100 amps at idle, which is double the output of most stock alternators.
How many amps should a 12 volt alternator put out?
The size of an alternator will most likely increase the set amperage, too. High output alternators (often found on larger vehicles) can use between 200 to 350 amps . Smaller cars by comparison, such as a Ford Mustang, will only use about 100 amps with batteries that run at about 12 volts.
Is a higher amp alternator better?
Amperage is basically the amount of electrical current your alternator can supply. ... That is, your alternator will only supply the amount of amperage a particular component demands—and no more. So high-output alternators will not harm your components or charging system, no matter how high you go with the amps.
Can I make my alternator put out more amps?
You can never have too much amperage when it comes to alternators; therefore, you never have to worry about choosing an alternator with too high of a rated output. ... So high-output alternators will not harm your components or charging system, no matter how high you go with the amps.
How many volts should my alternator put out?
The voltage should read a minimum of 13 volts. A good alternator should put out between ** 13.5-14.5 volts . Stress test the alternator – Place a load on the alternator by turning on the headlights, the radio and the air conditioning. The voltage should remain high with these circuits on.
What is the highest output alternator?
The highest 12 volt produced by Prestolite Leece-Neville is the J-180 mount 4890JB and Pad Mount 4962PA both of which put out 320 amps. When it comes to 24 volt alternators there is one manufacturers that really stands out – C.E. Niehoff has their 500 Amp C-803D.
How big of an alternator do I need for 3000 watts?
3000 watt / 12V is equal to 250A . A 250A alternator is needed to keep up with it. Since your engine would have to work just as hard as any portable 3KW generator to keep up with the amplifier, you would need a large fuel tank.
Is 15 volts too high for alternator?
To answer your question, yes, 15 volts is too high . Most car alternators that charge your battery after every start and provide power while the engine is running are usually regulated to between 13 and 14.0 volts.
Is 14.6 volts too much?
The battery terminal charging voltage must be less than 14.7 volts to prevent excessive gassing. ... 14.8 would start to be a worry (there might be liquid or corrosion on the battery) and 15 volts would be a real concern, but 14.6 is fine . Less than 14.3 would be a “weak” alternator or regulator.
Why is my alternator only putting out 12 volts?
– A reading below 12 volts could indicate insufficient charging, low battery , or corroded, broken, loose or frayed wires/connections. ... – A reading below 13.0 volts could indicate a failed alternator or corroded, broken, loose or frayed wires/connections.
What is the benefit of a high amp alternator?
When a high output alternator is used, amps are supplied back to the battery when the vehicle is used, and with a high output alternator charging systems are able to generate more amps and supply vehicle with the amps required to keep the vehicle running .
What makes an alternator high amp?
Installing a smaller-diameter pulley on the alternator shaft speeds up the rpm of the armature so more amps are produced at that engine rpm. A higher alternator speed also helps its internals cool better under load because its cooling fan is spinning faster.
What happens if you put a bigger alternator in your car?
A higher amperage alternator will not pose any problems to the vehicle's electrical system . ... For example, you may have a 100 amp alternator in your vehicle and the turn signals have small wiring and will only use 10 amp of power. Upgrading to a 200 amp alternator will not affect these components.
