Is a stock alternator enough for my car?
Every electrical component in your car needs to draw some amount of amperage to function. If you don't make any modifications or add any additional electronics, then you'll typically be just fine with the stock alternator.
What does a Honda alternator voltage regulator do?
The early Honda alternators used either an external or internal voltage regulator to control charging voltage and current. Both the mechanical external and solid-state internal voltage regulators include some type of temperature monitoring device used to control charging rates.
What does high output mode mean on a Honda alternator?
Honda alternator high output mode The ELD reports to the ECM and the ECM, along with various other sensors determines the charging voltage. For example, if the ECM detects an AC request and powers the AC compressor clutch, the ECM will set the charging rate at 14.4-14.9V. This is referred to as the high output mode
How to choose a high output alternator for your car?
If you have a high-end stereo system, use a lot of additional accessories, or have additional onboard electronics, look for the best high output alternator with higher amperage. To check your vehicle’s electrical load, you can use an ammeter.
What is the most powerful car 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.
Is a higher amp alternator better?
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.
What does having a bigger alternator do?
Better Battery Life That's because an oversized alternator produces more output at lower speeds, including idle. That increased output prevents the battery from having to help supply the load—and this keeps it at a more ideal state of charge. The battery cycles less, which translates into better battery life.
Can an alternator give more horsepower?
“On some applications, a high-amp alternator can actually add horsepower to your engine's performance.” Sure, it's nominal, but, when it comes to horsepower, every bit helps. “Most alternators are only about 75 percent efficient.”
How do I know if I need a bigger alternator?
When should you upgrade your Battery or Alternator? Here are a few tell-tale signs that it is time to upgrade your car's alternator to something that can output enough power to meet the demands of your stereo: If your lights start to dim when music is playing, which will be most noticeable during songs with more bass.
Is a 160 amp alternator good?
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 do I increase the voltage of my alternator?
Selecting different sized diodes can alter the output regulation of the alternator. A smaller diode will increase the charge voltage by more than a larger diode (due to the voltage drop varying with the diode current).
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.
What size alternator do I need for 1000 watt amp?
If you've read this far and are starting to rethink 150's, hair tricks, and broken windshields, you can still enjoy considerable bass with a single high output alternator in your car or truck. As a general rule, you need about 100 amps of current for every 1000 watts of power generated.
How big of an alternator do I need for 2000 watts?
For example, if you installed a 2,000-watt amp, assuming a nominal voltage of 13.5V, you'd add roughly 150 amps of demand to the electrical system.
Is a 220 amp alternator good?
With some extra work there are ways to get decent charge going, but even then the 220A alternator is probably enough for most scenarios if there are no other non-vehicle loads.
How much HP does alternator take?
An alternator takes about 1 HP for every 25 Amps of power. At full output, a 100 Amp alternator will need about 4 HP. For a long time, most alternators don't operate at full output.
How does a Honda alternator work?
1) The Honda dual-mode alternator with integral voltage regulator controls power to the field coil (rotor). Based on commands from the ECM, the voltage regulator uses a pulse-width modulation technique to power the alternator’s field coil. In other words, the regulator pulses battery voltage and full current on and off to the field coil. If the voltage is on for .5 of a second, that’s referred to as a 50% duty cycle. When power is on for the full second, the alternator is at a 100% charging rate.
What is the purpose of an external voltage regulator on a Honda alternator?
The early Honda alternators used either an external or internal voltage regulator to control charging voltage and current. Both the mechanical external and solid-state internal voltage regulators include some type of temperature monitoring device used to control charging rates.
How many volts does a Honda battery charge?
Even though a typical lead-acid battery is considered fully charged at 12.6 volts, many of the early smart Honda systems were designed to see 12.4 volts, or 80% state-of-charge, as perfectly normal and the ECM would not command alternator charging.
How many volts does a lead acid battery need?
Most lead-acid batteries need at least 14.2 charging volts to overcome the chemical resistance of the electrolyte. But that’s based on a battery temperature of 70°F. As electrolyte temperature drops and chemical activity slows, you need 14.5-volts or more or more to obtain the same amount of charging activity.
Can you test an alternator while idling?
That’s why testing while idling with no electrical loads on can lead to unnecessary alternator replacement. You must turn on electrical loads to test charging voltage. Even then, a voltage test, by itself, is not an accurate measure of the charging system’s performance. You must also check amperage.
Does Honda have a charging system?
Honda has used several generations of charging systems in their vehicles. If you don’t know how the Honda alternator and charging systems work in your particular vehicle, it’s very easy to misdiagnose it and falsely conclude that the alternator has failed. Thousands of perfectly good Honda alternators are replaced each year.
What does an alternator do when driving?
When you drive your vehicle, the alternator restores what the battery uses to run various functions in your vehicle, including the engine and the audio system. If you want to listen to your favorite tunes, for example, you need an alternator that is up to snuff.
Why do you need an alternator?
Your vehicle’s electrical system requires an alternator to keep it running properly. Without one, you may experience dim headlights and brake lights, issues with the sound system, and problems with the electronic door locks. An alternator recycles electricity back to the battery so it operates efficiently.
What is a 12 volt 132 amp alternator?
This 12-volt, 132-amp alternator is made with 100-percent premium components to meet or surpass OEM amperage and voltage output. It’s built to be identical in fit and performance to original equipment parts. It includes major heat-related and wear items (rectifier, regulator, rotor, stator, and bearings) that can withstand excessive heat and large electrical demands. Overall, this alternator provides excellent power in high-demand conditions and is 100-percent full load tested for performance.
What happens when you turn the ignition on?
When you turn the ignition on in your car or truck, the battery power turns the starter. The starter then turns the alternator belt by way of the accessory drive. This then spins the alternator’s pulley, which causes the alternator’s rotor to spin quickly. The rotor is part of a group of magnets located inside a grouping of copper wires, ...
What is the purpose of an alternator?
The alternator is a fairly important part of your vehicle’s electrical system. It generates the power that your car or truck needs to operate and works alongside the battery to provide an electrical current that recharges the battery and provides power to a variety of things, including the ignition, radio, and heating and air conditioning.
How many amps does an alternator use?
Amperage. The flow rate of an electrical current is known as amperage. Most stock alternators are 65 to 100 amps and are able to withstand your car or truck’s basic needs, including the headlights, air conditioning, and audio system. They usually include a 10-15 percent reserve for tolerating additional accessories.
What to consider before buying an alternator?
First, you need to ensure that the product is compatible with your specific vehicle’s make and model. Then you need to determine if the alternator’s amperage matches your vehicle’s requirements.
How much amp does a head unit draw?
Most basic audio components don't draw too much amperage. For instance, a standard head unit with a built-in amp might draw less than 10A. In comparison, typical headlights are also about a 10A draw, a defroster can pull up to 15A, and air conditioning typically draws more than 20A. In a lot of cases, you can upgrade to an aftermarket radio without ...
Can alternators run on the ragged edge?
The issue is that factory alternators typically run right up against the ragged edge in terms of factory component requirements, so installing any power-hungry aftermarket equipment can lead to a lack of enough power to go around. That can manifest as flickering or dim headlights, or your engine may even die.
Can I upgrade my radio to an aftermarket radio?
In a lot of cases, you can upgrade to an aftermarket radio without worrying too much about installing a high output alternator. However, there are cases where you'll clearly end up piling on more than the factory alternator can handle.
Is it bad to replace an alternator with a high output?
How Much Alternator Is Too Much? The good news is that replacing a factory alternator with a high output alternator, in and of itself, isn’t going to damage the rest of the electronics in your car, even if the new alternator is much, much bigger than the old one.
Can you use an alternator with a stock alternator?
Every electrical component in your car needs to draw some amount of amperage to function. If you don't make any modifications or add any additional electronics, then you'll typically be just fine with the stock alternator.
Can you cut an alternator in a car?
Your factory alternator may be enough, or it might not cut it. The question usually isn't if you need a stronger alternator, but how much bigger it needs to be, and how much is too much.
Can you put a 300A alternator in your engine?
For a safety net, you decide on a 300A alternator. Even if you manage to find a high amp alternator that’s capable of putting out a massive 300A while still somehow fitting in your engine compartment, that extra amperage will only be tapped if and when your equipment actually needs it. You can rest easy that the only downside to an alternator ...
purplesyrup
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momofx76
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purplesyrup
LOL I was reading your post and then I was like "wtf - what barrel???" but then I realised it was YOU lol. haha.
