When is a bigger Alt needed

[JazzScreamer 1]

Like the topic says. I just installed an electric fan to my truck and have noticed a slight voltage drop when the fans kick in. With the system I have in the truck, I'm wondering If this might be something I need to do. I need some help on this cause I'm pretty clueless with this. Here's what I got in the truck

2 Miniliths

1 Old school RF punch amp (running the rear spakers)

1 Draconia

Edited May 5, 2007 by JazzScreamer

[audio-neon 34]

I would say that it is never a bad idea to get a h/o alt.

My priorities are just a little mixed up, so it is my last worry.

[mrray13 30]

you have 4 amps, added an electric fan and that's on top of the normal draw for the vehicle. you also didn't mention any battery upgrades. yeah, you need a h/o alternator. and it wouldn't hurt to have a deep cycle up front at a minimum.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[JazzScreamer 1]

you have 4 amps, added an electric fan and that's on top of the normal draw for the vehicle. you also didn't mention any battery upgrades. yeah, you need a h/o alternator. and it wouldn't hurt to have a deep cycle up front at a minimum.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I do not have any upgraded Battery for the Truck. Should I start with a deep cycle battery and then a HO alt or vice versa and eventually get both?

[helotaxi 46]

The first step is the "big 3." If you haven't done that, it might be all you need.

[JazzScreamer 1]

Does someone have any pics of this done to there car. I remember way back that the site did have it. I'm a picture man and that would help a lot. And no I haven't done the Big Three.

[///M5 2,833]

First off do the big three, second trash the rear stage and then you'll be set.

[JazzScreamer 1]

Well, I just got back from a drive. I haven't been able to drive at night because I just got LASIK surgery and my eyes are still recovering. Anyway, the voltage drop is only initial when the fans kick in and there is also no dimming involved. I got two questions

1. with my set-up, do you think this may be hurting my electrical system?

2. should I still do the BIG THREE?

[Godsmack 361]

YES BIG THREE

Anything "can" hurt the electrrical.

J

[kbkid 0]

Here is a link of pictures.

[mrray13 30]

the big three, and i'd still do at least a deep cycle battery.

what kind/year truck? do you know the factory alternator rating?

reason i ask, i've got an 04 silverado, 1/0 wire for the big three and amplifier (yep, just one. a big belle), a yellow top and a factory 105 amp alt. i still get voltage drops, though no dimming. when i was running my boss's 135 amp escalade alt, no voltage drop. the extra 30 amps was all the truck/system needed. if your factory alt is big enough, then the big three and deep cycle will be plenty.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[JazzScreamer 1]

04 Sierra. I'm pretty sure I have the factory 105 amp alt. I think I'll start with the BIG THREE this weekend. Much appreciated guys.

[helotaxi 46]

Nice thing about Chevy small blocks is the plethora of relatively inexpensive alts available. My car on the other hand does not have an aftermarket alt available. Thank God the stock one is 165A

[mrray13 30]

the trucks came with an option for a 145 (i didn't find this out till after my truck was purchased.) you should be able to see the rating, either the 105 or 145, on the side of the case. it'll be etched on it.

helo, i wish my truck came with a 165, lol. what kind of vehicle, other then something diesel, comes with one that big?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Acidburn 10]

the trucks came with an option for a 145 (i didn't find this out till after my truck was purchased.) you should be able to see the rating, either the 105 or 145, on the side of the case. it'll be etched on it.

helo, i wish my truck came with a 165, lol. what kind of vehicle, other then something diesel, comes with one that big?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

i assume he's talking about his SRT-4...

[mrray13 30]

the trucks came with an option for a 145 (i didn't find this out till after my truck was purchased.) you should be able to see the rating, either the 105 or 145, on the side of the case. it'll be etched on it.

helo, i wish my truck came with a 165, lol. what kind of vehicle, other then something diesel, comes with one that big?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

i assume he's talking about his SRT-4...

on a fucking neon? no shit?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Acidburn 10]

the trucks came with an option for a 145 (i didn't find this out till after my truck was purchased.) you should be able to see the rating, either the 105 or 145, on the side of the case. it'll be etched on it.

helo, i wish my truck came with a 165, lol. what kind of vehicle, other then something diesel, comes with one that big?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

i assume he's talking about his SRT-4...

on a pucking neon? no chit?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

exactly what i said lol

[mrray13 30]

the trucks came with an option for a 145 (i didn't find this out till after my truck was purchased.) you should be able to see the rating, either the 105 or 145, on the side of the case. it'll be etched on it.

helo, i wish my truck came with a 165, lol. what kind of vehicle, other then something diesel, comes with one that big?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

i assume he's talking about his SRT-4...

on a pucking neon? no chit?

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

exactly what i said lol

that's just wrong, lol. good for helo, but damn.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[helotaxi 46]

Yep it was the standard alt on the first year SRT-4 only. They went to a 135 for the last 3 years of production. The problem with it is the regulator is in the ECU and on a delay measured in seconds. The ECU will kick the RPM up before ramping up the alt output to make sure it doesn't stall the engine. The fan will noticably slow when you use the power windows. I did manage to get no noticable dimming driving around though.

[JazzScreamer 1]

So I did part of the BIG THREE today. I did the Alt + to battery and the - to chassis (from the battery) I'm still looking for a good place on the chassis to engine block. All is good. My electrical fans don't squeak anymore.

I did have a question though. I did not replace the negative battery terminal, I actually just added a 4ga wire from neg to chassis. Is this OK? The factory Neg wire goes deep into the engine and I didn't want to try and fit a socket or wrench in that spot (lazy I guess) Everything is running fin e like I said. Am I still getting the same benifit as if I just replaced the OEM - wire? Thanks!!

[///M5 2,833]

I never bother to take my old one off, I just add another.

[mrray13 30]

So I did part of the BIG THREE today. I did the Alt + to battery and the - to chassis (from the battery) I'm still looking for a good place on the chassis to engine block. All is good. My electrical fans don't squeak anymore.

I did have a question though. I did not replace the negative battery terminal, I actually just added a 4ga wire from neg to chassis. Is this OK? The factory Neg wire goes deep into the engine and I didn't want to try and fit a socket or wrench in that spot (lazy I guess) Everything is running fin e like I said. Am I still getting the same benifit as if I just replaced the OEM - wire? Thanks!!

never replace, just add. so you did it right. for the third part, just run a wire from your neg terminal to your alternator bracket. bolt closest to the battery. works just fine.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[JazzScreamer 1]

Good to hear. The Neg to ground on the alt will work great. We have similar rides sot THANKS!!!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

[mrray13 30]

that's why we are here, lol.

anymore issues, just holler. our trucks are identical, ain't much i haven't tried in mine.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[JazzScreamer 1]

Any mods to the truck mrray13?