|
I just got off the phone with RPC. While they don't stock or rebuild SVX alternators I did get an earfull of alternator/battery maintenance advice.
I'll try to summarize: The number one enemy of alternators is heat...obviously. The worst time for an alternator is during extended idle or low speed driving when only the alt. fans are cooling the alt. The best way to avoid alternator overheating is to reduce the load at idle/low speed by shutting down as many accessories as possible.
The number two enemy is a low battery. If your battery is low your alternator will work overtime to recharge. Most batteries can only absorb 7-10 amps per hour. When the alternator is trying to charge the battery it's throwing 60amps at it and getting real hot in the process. This excess amperage can actually overload and damage your battery. This probably explains why so many of us have to buy a new battery when we replace the alternator. It may also explain what was really going bad first.....the alternator or the battery????
Now, our little 90amp units are more than likely designed to put out about 60amps at idle and don't reach peak capacity until we're really cranking the engine. So, under normal driving we're probably only putting out between 60-75 amps. These amps are intended to run the electrical system, not necessarily charge the battery. If your battery is low, amps are sent to the battery and the rest of your electrical systems suffer.
Randy recommended installing a battery maintainer, available at JC Whitney for $39.99. The idea here is to plug in your car every night so you start each day with a fully charged battery. A fully charged battery draws zero amps from the alternator. Therefore, your alternator is free to send all it's power to your accessories and it's workload and it's generated heat are reduced. This significantly reduces, if not eliminates, damage to the battery from receiving an over charge from the alternator. It also extends the life of your alternator.
Quick note on batteries: Reserve capacity is more important than cranking amps. The higher the reserve the better.
If you start adding things like high amp fog lights, high amp amplifiers you'll need alot more out of the alternator. Heavy gauge wire can give you as much as 10 extra amps. Also, Randy suggests running accessories, through a relay, directly off the alternator. A few extra amps to be gained there. Also, ground the accessories to the battery instead of a body ground, some amp savings there too.
BTW, got my new alternator and my yellow monster is back on the road.
|