Fried Chrome Alternator Update...Couple Q's!

[94GTLaserRC]

Hey all!
Just talked to Bill at Alterstart (4alterstart.com) today.

He told me that the alt was burned up insided, "most likely due to a bad battery or high powered stereo system" (I have questions below). He said that is not covered under warranty, but they would "take care of it this time" If this info is true, then Kudos to them for their service!

My questions/concerns are:

1. I have the Optima Red top, less than a year old...I dont think there is a problem with that.

2. I have a $180. after market Sony XPlod with NO other amps/power hooked up.

3. I have an old junker v6 alternator in my car now "holding" it just fine while the chromer is away.

Could it be that the alternator I got from them was just bad, or is there ANYTHING anyone else can think of as a cause for this burning out?

Bill said there was no burning at the contacts, so there was no Arcking involved...just burned on the inside.

I used their thicker gauge cable to handle the extra amperage.

They are sending it back today, and I just want to know what else I can check before I put the thing back on.

Thanks for all the help, and again, Thanks to BIll at Alterstart for all his help!

RC

 

[RIO5.0]

Doesn't sound like you have anything that would over tax it???

Its a freebie... Slap it in and go with it...

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Doesn't sound like you have anything that would over tax it???

Its a freebie... Slap it in and go with it...

Thanks...Nothing else you might think it could be, huh?
RC

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

FREEBIE...FREEBIE....FREEEEBIEE... ZERO... ZIP...NADA!

 

[94GTLaserRC]

FREEBIE...FREEBIE....FREEEEBIEE... ZERO... ZIP...NADA!

Common Dude...help me out (BTW..I like the bird avatar better )

RC

 

[baglock1]

RC,

Unless there's a bad connection somewhere, there is nothing wrong with your system that would cause that. It sounds to me like Bill is trying to save face or sway you into not trying to send it back if it fails again.

 

[Killercanary]

RC,

Unless there's a bad connection somewhere, there is nothing wrong with your system that would cause that. It sounds to me like Bill is trying to save face or sway you into not trying to send it back if it fails again.

 

[FastFord]

I would be somewhat suspicious myself. Glad they are taking care of it, but your electrical setup sounds very mild, makes one wonder. I agree with Killercanary.

 

[RIO5.0]

Maybe the Bill was being straight-up?? If it takes a dump again...theres your answer...alts junk...

I would take him for his word for lack of a cause...by all means have a look/see when you re-assy it...But if you didn't pick up on anything coming apart?? Time will tell...October 05 should be about right...

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Well, Regardless ("saving face" or not) Im just glad they're taking care of it, since they technically "could have" said that they wont.

Could it be that it was "just a bad alternator"?

Thanks
RC

 

[mo_dingo]

The only thing that I would recommend you testing is the current being drawn off the battery at max load. This will tell you how many continous amps you are sucking from the alternator.

Our alternator's are 130 amp max, right?

I am running twice the current you are with my amp and I have absolutely no problems.

I do have a question. Does the alternator put out the same amount of voltage/current 24/7????? I know it will increase with RPM, but will it stay the same, no matter the load?

I think this is the case, and the voltage regulator will limit the amount of current getting to the battery to eliminate overcharging. But I am not sure, so someone please answer.
Scott

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Those ones from alterstart are 160 A (stock is 130) Bill said they have 200 A ones now
RC

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

Common Dude...help me out (BTW..I like the bird avatar better )

RC

Im with everyone else. I know people with drawing much more power then you with no problems. Either you had a little bad luck or the alternator is junk. And what bird avater are you talking about? The Emu? Thats been long gone.

 

[urban96]

The only thing that I would recommend you testing is the current being drawn off the battery at max load. This will tell you how many continous amps you are sucking from the alternator.

Our alternator's are 130 amp max, right?

I am running twice the current you are with my amp and I have absolutely no problems.

I do have a question. Does the alternator put out the same amount of voltage/current 24/7????? I know it will increase with RPM, but will it stay the same, no matter the load?

I think this is the case, and the voltage regulator will limit the amount of current getting to the battery to eliminate overcharging. But I am not sure, so someone please answer.
Scott

at idle our alts dont produce FULL amperage but as the revs go up the voltage regulator on the back of the alt regulates whats going to the batt so from 1k rpms to 6k rpms itll still put out the same

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Im with everyone else. I know people with drawing much more power then you with no problems. Either you had a little bad luck or the alternator is junk. And what bird avater are you talking about? The Emu? Thats been long gone.

I thought it was an Ostrich!! I guess I didnt look at it REALLY closely!

Should have the alt back in a couple of days...Ill post an update.

Thanks
RC

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

Emu.. Ostrich ... close enough.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Nothing else for me to check, huh?
RC

 

[MysteryMachine]

sounds like BS to me too esp. with all us running stock ones with a **** load of extras.

Glad their fixing it for ya maybe it will be right this time