Any Advantage/Disadvantage to running a 160 amp Alternator

[rallye455]

I noticed that MSD sells a 160 amp alternator. Any Advantage/Disadvantage to running a 160 amp Alternator versus say a 100 or 130?

[ProdigyCustoms]

Most times the higher the peak amperage is, the lower the idle and cruising amperage. So unless your going to run around at high RPMS you won't get the advantage of that 160 amp. Most of us really need the most amperage at a idle in traffic with the A/C going, electric fans and stereo. This is where most cars are weak.

I found Powermaster to have the best ldlleing amperage, their 130AMP makes 80AMP at idle.

[HWYSTR455]

Good call ProdigyCustoms! Another thing to keep in mind is that once you go over about 130 amps that V-belts start to slip, especially under heavy loads. Once they start to slip, it just snowballs and gets worse. The idiot light will never come on since it's still in a 'charge' state or no fault, but you can quickly run out of juice.

CS130 alts also have a tendancy to fail from heat, and generally aren't a good choice for a hot rod that sees a lot of city diving. Ad 12Si or CS130D is a better choice.

You can spec an alt for something like a taxi, police, or ambulance, which has great low-RPM or idle output. Also remember that rated output is at shaft speed, not engine RPM.

Running an alt that puts out more than you need isn't a bad thing, since it reduces the 'duty cycle' load/percent of the unit, and it will live longer (when looking at it from a load perspective).

.

[hifi875]

its all about the idle amperage. parts house alternators rate very low at idle.
ex. gm 94amp puts out about 35-40 at idle, nowhere close to what u need.

[waynieZ]

This is good to know I'm glad I found this thread.

[Rusty G]

Go here: http://www.svapowerproducts.com/

Ray is a great guy to talk to, excellent customer service and the products not to shabby either.

Tell him Bob from Casual Restorations sent you.

I got tired of playing the battery charger shuffle with my race car and bit the bullet on a his CS120 alternator (approx. 130 output). He reworks them, it puts out almost 100A at idle!!!!

Also got a "thunder series" 160A for a Nitrous car.

I have tried to overload it with dual fans, electric pump, MSD,full running lights, high beams,brake lights, line lock, trans brake etc etc, it never flinches.

Here is a shot I took, showing some guys on another forum how to wire it.




Made running at night safer, I make the run (10 flat) with my high beams on now.