Alternator upgrade
#1
03-14-2020, 05:10 PM
Alternator upgrade
Just wondering if anybody out there has attempted swapping their alternator to get more than the stock 100A output. I just purchased my vehicle about 6 months ago and it had several electrical modifications made by the previous owner--some government agency. I replaced the sealed beam halogen headlights with LED replacements, and installed some LED pods as off road lights or fog lights on the bumper. I also started tearing into the rats nest above the brake pedal and behind the dash to get the Whelen AdvantEdge light bar on the roof operational (was installed by previous owner, I just wanted to get it running). The only time I use the roof light bar is when I am driving around on airport property.
I run into problems when I step on the brakes or shift into reverse--I guess that extra current for the tail lights is the straw that breaks the camel's back because it blows the fuse running to what I assume is the alternator field, and my truck dies on the spot. (I know, simple solution--DONT TURN ON THE LIGHT BAR, DUMMY!). I am mostly driving on airport property during winter in Alaska, and the extra light output is great for increasing visibility when it is that dark. My tail lights are a little on the low side to be seen from the cockpit of some of these bush planes, so having the light bar on the roof can really help pilots see my vehicle when they are taxiing. Then I obviously need my headlights on to see, and I need the heater running to keep from freezing, which brings me right back here. Basically, I am looking for the simplest path for swapping out this alternator--preferably one that is just drop in with minimal rewiring, and with little to no modification to the belt/pulley (if possible). Any recommendations, or what has been done?
1994 S10 Blazer 4x4, 4.3l Vortec V6, Automatic
I run into problems when I step on the brakes or shift into reverse--I guess that extra current for the tail lights is the straw that breaks the camel's back because it blows the fuse running to what I assume is the alternator field, and my truck dies on the spot. (I know, simple solution--DONT TURN ON THE LIGHT BAR, DUMMY!). I am mostly driving on airport property during winter in Alaska, and the extra light output is great for increasing visibility when it is that dark. My tail lights are a little on the low side to be seen from the cockpit of some of these bush planes, so having the light bar on the roof can really help pilots see my vehicle when they are taxiing. Then I obviously need my headlights on to see, and I need the heater running to keep from freezing, which brings me right back here. Basically, I am looking for the simplest path for swapping out this alternator--preferably one that is just drop in with minimal rewiring, and with little to no modification to the belt/pulley (if possible). Any recommendations, or what has been done?
1994 S10 Blazer 4x4, 4.3l Vortec V6, Automatic
#3
03-14-2020, 06:00 PM
You can swap out your stock alternator for an AD244 from a full-size truck pretty easily, but it won't keep your fuse from blowing. To do that, you need to run the lightbar on its own dedicated circuit, with its own fuse. If I'm not mistaken, that's an old-school lightbar with mechanical rotators. It will draw a lot of current. What are you using for a controller?
Last edited by Tom A; 03-14-2020 at 06:02 PM.
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