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Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? #1093791
10/13/11 04:23 PM
10/13/11 04:23 PM
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Colorado
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68FuryIIIColo Offline OP
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Hey all, I know it's been discussed many times but can't find the answer to my question anywhere.
I am upgrading my old alternator on my 65 Dodge D200 because I am putting in EFI and an electric fan that can pull like 60amps. I think I am going to the u-pull this weekend and they have quite a few 90-95 truck/van/dakota. From what I have read that seems like what I'm looking for. I know I will have to grab the alternator, regulator, and a 2v pulley like my truck has.
How do I tell how many amps the alternator puts out? Part number, markings on the case or what? I know they can be anything from a 75-120 amp. I figure I might as well go big right, that way I can stuff an amp and nice system in it too down the road. I have also upgraded most of the wiring under the hood and dash to take more current.
Let me know if you all have any advice for me!
Thanks,
Mike

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093792
10/13/11 05:59 PM
10/13/11 05:59 PM
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You have to get the part numbers and look them up to get the output. It is not listed on the alternator.

Look for the pre-Magnum engines for a V-belt high output alternator. They're easy to spot. Look for the half-size alternator body.
You will have to trim the output stud a wee bit and tweak your brackets for the belt to line up.

I've been running one for years on the hot rod. It handles the monster Mercedes cooling fan, EFI system, 1000 watt Kenwood amp, power inverter for the laptop, and all kinds of other stuff.

I ran a 4 gauge wire from the output stud to the starter relay.
Since the fan flashes to 59 amps on startup I wired it directly to the alternator.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093793
10/13/11 08:20 PM
10/13/11 08:20 PM
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Coram, NY
Pool Fixer Offline
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you can run a serp pulley alt by removing the serp pulley and installing a 70's GM pulley. I did it to Denso alt I got off a 2000 RAM van. I had to get a new nut and used loctite on threads. It's been like that for 10 years.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: feets] #1093794
10/14/11 11:05 AM
10/14/11 11:05 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Quote:

Look for the pre-Magnum engines for a V-belt high output alternator. They're easy to spot. Look for the half-size alternator body.



Feets is that the one with the "thin" stator (middle section)? and the 78 amp one which is I think one of the highest rated stcok type ones from iirc a 85 M body one of those


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: feets] #1093795
10/14/11 11:26 AM
10/14/11 11:26 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Colorado
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68FuryIIIColo Offline OP
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Quote:

You have to get the part numbers and look them up to get the output. It is not listed on the alternator.

Look for the pre-Magnum engines for a V-belt high output alternator. They're easy to spot. Look for the half-size alternator body.
You will have to trim the output stud a wee bit and tweak your brackets for the belt to line up.

I've been running one for years on the hot rod. It handles the monster Mercedes cooling fan, EFI system, 1000 watt Kenwood amp, power inverter for the laptop, and all kinds of other stuff.

I ran a 4 gauge wire from the output stud to the starter relay.
Since the fan flashes to 59 amps on startup I wired it directly to the alternator.



Nice information. I guess if I get a 90-92 alternator it should have the 2v pulley on the vans and trucks. If it is later or a Dakota it will have the serp pulley. The 87-89 trucks and vans have a 3 year only high output alternator right? The ones I am looking for is this one correct?

Now for the regulator...I see them listed for the pre 1992 but is there one for the ones after 1992? I thought the alternators all have external regulators up to like 1999.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: RapidRobert] #1093796
10/14/11 02:32 PM
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Quote:

Quote:

Look for the pre-Magnum engines for a V-belt high output alternator. They're easy to spot. Look for the half-size alternator body.



Feets is that the one with the "thin" stator (middle section)? and the 78 amp one which is I think one of the highest rated stcok type ones from iirc a 85 M body one of those





It's this alternator:




Any regulator will work. In the early 90s the regulator was integrated into the engine computer so you're not going to find them.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: feets] #1093797
10/14/11 04:00 PM
10/14/11 04:00 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Quote:

It's this alternator:


Got it, thanks Feets


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093798
10/15/11 01:55 AM
10/15/11 01:55 AM
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Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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Big block or small block?
I put a 130 Amp alternator on my big block, but had to re-locate it because it was too deep to fit in the stock location. I think the 90-amp denso alternators are smaller, and I also think the alternator has more room depth wise on a small block than on a big block. My alternator was off a newer truck with the serpintne belt, but the pulley is keyed and held on with a nut and washer, not press fit like the old original style alternators so it is easy to replace. I went to an alternator repair shop and get a v-belt pulley for less than $20 so it's not that big a deal.
One issue may be the spacing between the belts on a multi "v" belt pulley, if you are using two belts? The electrical part is pretty easy.
I would switch to an electronic voltage regulator, but the stock mechanical one should work if you ground one field wire (the other connected to the mechanical regulator.)
With the electronic regulator the +12 volt switched power that went to the mechanical regulator would now connect to the new electronic regulator AND one of the alternator field connections. The other field connection would run back to the regulator.
The Alternator output terminal, connect the stock output wiring and add another 10-AWG wire that connects back to the battery positive (or Starter safety relay BATT connection) through a fuseable link. Thats really all you need.
For high draw loads like the radiator fan, you should add another connection/wire to the alternator output stud to get power directly from the alternator.

Not sure where your at in Colorado, but if your around the Denver area I could give you a hand if you need help.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 451Mopar] #1093799
10/15/11 09:17 AM
10/15/11 09:17 AM
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NJ central
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my set up 90amp

6872223-mopar001.jpg (964 downloads)
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: feets] #1093800
10/15/11 09:18 AM
10/15/11 09:18 AM
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Quote:

I ran a 4 gauge wire from the output stud to the starter relay.
Since the fan flashes to 59 amps on startup I wired it directly to the alternator.




Key point on the heavier charge wire. A 90 or 120 amp alternator along with heavier electrical loads will toast the factory setup quickly. A heavy charge wire from the alternator directly to the fender relay stud or battery is important. A fusible link in the charge wire near the fender relay will provide protection against shorts. 6 guage charge wire and 10 guage fusible link would work in your application. NAPA usually stocks the heavy primary wire. Autoparts stores don't usually carry 10 guage fusible link. An auto-electrical shop would have it.

With this setup, your ammeter is bypassed won't register. You need to add a voltmeter to monitor the system.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: ahy] #1093801
10/15/11 10:51 AM
10/15/11 10:51 AM
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I don't like fusible links.

Since my alternator is a 130 amp unit, I installed a 125 amp fuse like this:



If my hot rod ever tops out a 130 amp alternator I've got a problem.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: feets] #1093802
10/15/11 11:07 AM
10/15/11 11:07 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Quote:

I don't like fusible links.


I agree & once I had the main harness pretty much melt from what appeared to be a near dead short before the FL opened. Luckily I never have probs like that (so far) other than that one time but I would prefer to have a fuse or better yet I'd think a circuit breaker but I dont know which type to get & I'm not sure what amp rating I would need for my current vehicle (65 dart, no electrical add ons)


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Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: RapidRobert] #1093803
10/15/11 05:02 PM
10/15/11 05:02 PM
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Aurora, Colorado
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On my car I am just running two 10-AWG wires.
One wire to the original alternator wire, and the other directly the the starter relay.
This basically puts them in parallel, but the direct wire will have slightly less resistance so it will see most of the load. In theory the amp gauge should work, but take twice the current for the same indicator position. Even though I have a 136 amp alternator, I got it mostly for the improved low speed output and better bearing design. It's rare if it has to output more than 40-amps. The parallel wiring also reduces the current through bulkhead connector.
Both lines must be fused, and if one fuse goes the other will be taken out too. I like the fuse with the holder. Not sure how long it takes to blow the fuse? The fuseable link allows excess current for a short time before it burns out. Either way, all it is really protecting is the wiring to/from the alternator.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 451Mopar] #1093804
10/16/11 11:05 AM
10/16/11 11:05 AM
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Colorado
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68FuryIIIColo Offline OP
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OK, great information here. Thanks everyone.
I went to the U-Pull yard in Denver and looked and looked. I found mostly 90 amp alternators but could not find a 120 amp. I finally found a 136 amp and pulled that one. Now the voltage regulator was another story. It seems like those are in high demand. The harness for those came up with a dead end.
I have the normal style regulator in my 65 D200 but it is one of the solid state electronic ones. It just has the same form factor and case as the old mechanical regulator. Will that work with the high amp alternator or do I still have to use one of the 70+ voltage regulators?

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093805
10/16/11 11:56 AM
10/16/11 11:56 AM
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This one works for me. Cheap too...http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1972-Dodge-Charger/Voltage-Regulator/_/N-ipmbbZ9ci9t

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093806
10/16/11 02:47 PM
10/16/11 02:47 PM
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you can use it.
that is what I run on my car.
just hook it up to one of the field ends on the alt and ground the other.
works just fine.
been running on mine for 2 or 3 years now.

put it through it paces earlier this year, and powered 2 of the mercedes fans with my system. melted off the end of the cable on the alternator side, but none of my other wiring had any issues.

HAd left it loose at the big bolt end. so it arc welded a bit.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: feets] #1093807
10/16/11 06:23 PM
10/16/11 06:23 PM
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Quote:

I don't like fusible links.

Since my alternator is a 130 amp unit, I installed a 125 amp fuse like this:



If my hot rod ever tops out a 130 amp alternator I've got a problem.




That's what I put on my car using a 1 wire alternator.


Nautilus Racing-
We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093808
10/16/11 08:59 PM
10/16/11 08:59 PM
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Quote:

OK, great information here. Thanks everyone.
I went to the U-Pull yard in Denver and looked and looked. I found mostly 90 amp alternators but could not find a 120 amp. I finally found a 136 amp and pulled that one. Now the voltage regulator was another story. It seems like those are in high demand. The harness for those came up with a dead end.
I have the normal style regulator in my 65 D200 but it is one of the solid state electronic ones. It just has the same form factor and case as the old mechanical regulator. Will that work with the high amp alternator or do I still have to use one of the 70+ voltage regulators?




any dual field from 69 and up works with this one. Napa has the reg and the special connector for it.
Here is a thread with pics I did on another site from 10 years ago

130 amp denso alternator conversion

The 130amp denso from a dodge does fit a big block without having to move it. I had to use a nut and grind a spacer with my dremel but that was it.

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: 68FuryIIIColo] #1093809
10/17/11 01:36 PM
10/17/11 01:36 PM
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Fort Lauderdale
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Look carefully for regulator vs. non regulator units. My 95 eclipse alt is 120 amps if I recall and is externally regulated. The regulator is in the computer. A year or 3 earlier the alternators came with internal regulators but looked almost the same. My computer went bad and 3 rebuilt ECMs later the rebuilder still couldnt get me one with a good regulator in it. I ended up bypassing the regulator in the computer and used a VR733 (1970 to mid 80s mopar electronic regulator) that "Bill Me Later" above mentioned. I prolly did it....5 or more years ago. Still Works perfectly. Output is around 13.8-14.5 volts. MAKE SURE the regulator case is grounded well to the body! A couple ppl online mentioned some of the cheaper versions with a zinc like finish on them didn't make a good ground. And for god sakes...bypass the ammeter if you're upgrading to a 75-100amp or more!! Otherwise....you'll need to carry a fire extinguisher and marshmallows just in case!!

Re: Upgrade to High Amp alternator on my 65...Advice? [Re: Dave440] #1093810
10/17/11 02:08 PM
10/17/11 02:08 PM
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Irving, TX
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The regulator doesn't care what kind of amperage the alternator makes. It's not even in that loop. The only thing it's concerned with is a 12 volt DC current.

You can use either style of old Mopar regulator with new alternators.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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