Need More Amperage Out Of My Alternator :(

Started by kerwyn · Apr 20, 2009 · 6postsInvision 2005–09

kerwynApr 20, 2009, 3:22 am · #1

so i bought a new alternator for my ca18det cuz my old one died and it seems i need more amps to run my electric fans, stereo and what not. i have a voltage meter and it tells me i have good voltage but when i turn on my lights or whatever it goes down a bit and even when most of my electronics are on it kills the car. just wondering if theres a higher amperage alternator that will fit my ca18det? my 70 or 80amp alt cant handle what i need. thanks

DraconisApr 20, 2009, 3:49 am · #2

I personally dont know about other alts with more amps you can swap in with the DET but I am curious as to if there is something that is 'leaking' some power maybe? I know that your fans, stereo and the car will use up a bit and the gauge may show draw but to kill the car seems like a bit much imo. Maybe battery replacement or bad terminal connections may be preventing full use of what is available?

KeithApr 20, 2009, 3:10 pm · #3

Draconis @ Apr 20 2009, 03:49 AM
I personally dont know about other alts with more amps you can swap in with the DET but I am curious as to if there is something that is 'leaking' some power maybe? I know that your fans, stereo and the car will use up a bit and the gauge may show draw but to kill the car seems like a bit much imo. Maybe battery replacement or bad terminal connections may be preventing full use of what is available?

I agree.....
what does the voltage drop down too? Mine with nothing on cruising down the hwy it's at 13.6 - 13.7 volts. At night with the headlights on, cruising, it's about 13.5 - 13.6 volts. If i'm idling with the headlights on and the electric fan on, it'll drop down to 13.4 - 13.5 volts.
may want to have the battery tested....and the alt. Just because it's new doesn't mean it can't be bad....especially if it's a reman'd unit

LeegamerApr 20, 2009, 3:53 pm · #4

Yeah, sounds like the alternator could be bad or there could be a bad connection (corroded terminals possibly).

You'd have to have a pretty crazy stereo system or all kinds of lights hooked up to need a high amperage alternator than what you have.

LyniumApr 21, 2009, 1:15 am · #5

It doesnt take that much on some cars to push a 60-70 amp to its limit.. prolly why i've gone through one a year...

I dont know how much different the ca20e is from you're ca18det, prolly not a whole lot, but it was quite simple to put an ac-delco firebird alt into mine. far cheaper and more reliable than nissan IMO
You can get em in all sorts of volt sizes. You can even get custom ones putting out 350amps if you realy wanted.. lol

I went with a 78amp cuz it was in stock, but they do have 110, and others.

PM if you want details on the part nubers and such, depending on how to get it clocked the way you want it for mounting etc...

Chris EdelmanMay 1, 2009, 9:27 pm · #6

The car that i got for parts had a mitsubishi alternator in it,I think it looked bigger, but obvioulsy it had to work,
just they changed the plug in,

this will hang out in my pocket till i wanna see how it works ^^