There is a structural difference between marine and automobile alternators. The marine alternator has an extra cooling setup. This setup is absent in the car alternators. The reason for this is the location of alternators in both vehicles.
What is a Marine alternator?
Senior Member. A marine alternator is ignition protected so that you don't blow up your boat.
Is there a difference between a boat alternator and a car alternator?
Automotive alternators rely on simplified voltage regulators, internally or externally, whose main task is keeping the starter battery topped off. ... Most marine alternators rely on external regulators to supply such features, although internally regulated alternators are available.
How many amps does a Marine alternator put out?
This model has a dual foot mount and a dual pulley for 1⁄2” belts and an external fan. A typical small to medium marine diesel has a standard alternator with a rating of 55 amps; however this rating is obtained under the most favorable conditions. The typical sustained output from these stock alternators is 25 – 30 Amps .
What kind of alternator do I need?
We start shopping for bigger battery banks or consider adding a battery which requires us to take a look at our charging system. In most cases, your alternator's output should equal the maximum available capacity of your battery bank. ... To maximize charging efficiency, a 180-amp rated alternator would be required.
Can you put a car alternator in a boat?
Even if somebody can install a car alternator on your boat, do not opt for it .
What does an alternator do in a boat?
The alternator generates electricity by rotating a magnetic field in the rotor around a circle of stationary copper windings called the stator. The amperage created is determined by the strength of the magnetic field.
How long should a marine alternator last?
It keeps the battery continuously charged and the car's electrical and computer systems up and running. The alternator works about as hard as any part of your car, so eventually, it is bound to fizzle out. The average longevity of an alternator is seven years or about 150,000 miles.
How do you know if you need a bigger alternator?
You might need a bigger alternator for your sound system
When it comes to car audio, more power means more sound and vice versa. If you want your music to be big and loud with a huge bass response, you need a big amplifier with a big subwoofer—and a lot of power to run it.
How do I know my alternator size?
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.
How many amps does a alternator put out at idle?
Most late model alternators produce 120 to 155 amps or more. Current output increases with engine speed, from around 20 to 50 amps at idle up to the unit's maximum output at 2,500 RPM or higher (refer to a service manual for the exact charging output specifications for your vehicle).
Are high output alternators worth it?
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.
How much amps does a car alternator produce?
The output of the alternator ranges from 40 Amp up to 120 Amp . For high-amp alternator, it can generate up to 300 Amp. Commercialized alternator is usually 12 V. For some systems, especially for high power system, the alternator varies from 24 V up to 48 V.
Can an alternator be too powerful?
If you're worried about a high amp alternator providing too much power to your ECU, or any other component in your electrical system, you don't need to . The amperage rating on an alternator is basically just the amount of current that the unit is capable of putting out, not the amount it always puts out.
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.
Can a sound system mess up an alternator?
Can Subwoofers Damage Your Alternator? Subwoofers on their own cannot damage your alternator . However, subwoofers combined with their amplifier and the corresponding amplifier can damage your alternator if it draws too much power from your battery. And this can cause the alternator to overheat and potentially damage.
