alternator woes
 

I have been blessed (read 'cursed') with the stock 70amp stock S4 alternator and have been wondering for some time about an upgrade. Ive read about how everyone either gets theres rebuilt and getting the poewr pumped, or about putting in a S5 or S6 alt. but Ive seen the alt relocation bracket and an idea struck me the other day i was scrounging the parts car.

Is it possible, or even safe if possible, to wire in a second alternator to pick up the power slack? I plan on running several heavy usage items in the future, amongst which being an efan and I wish to push 2000-3000 watts for my stereo(Yeah i know its overkill but its my preferance)

YES! do it. haha. that would be awsome to see an FC with 2 alternators. i don't think it would be dangerous if you wired it up correctly, the electrical part should noot be hard. the physical mounting of it would be interesting.

woot! constructive thinking :icon_tup:

I was thinking it would be cheaper than a new/used FD alternator too since all id need is a belt and the relocation bracket and wiring. Ive already had my ac and ps removed so that side of teh bay is perfectly suited to the fun install, its just teh wiring that may get me in the end. But that would be nice to have a twin alt setup, kinda like twin turbos, only its electricity and not actual performance

Well, I guess it could be done. Just make sure you wire them in parallel and not in series. I'm not quite sure how two alts would fit in, though. I guess it could be done if you have an efan so the stock fan isn't in the way. It just seems like it would be easier to put in an FD alternator. Silverrotor might even have one still, although I kinda doubt it. It would also drain more hp, too, although I guess you could underdrive both of them and still put out more current than stock.

I would like to see it... as previously said...if wired correctly...there should not be any problem...just be sure not to wire back into the stock harness...

It would be neat to see but I think for the amount of work it would be a waste of time...sorry just my 2 cents

I mean there are FD alternator kits available right here through the site.....and just go to the int.ext.audio fourm and find someone with an FD who runs FAR more stereo than that and probably many other things from a single FD alt.

Also I would think that two alternators (even though both have less draw made from them) are still harder to turn than a single one loaded to its designed or capable capacity would be.

But hey man knock yourself out - just don't burn the car down - hehe

Perhaps, but it would be a unique adventure I think, and as far as burnign the car down....i drove unfortuneately for 2 months on a leaking FPD, and i mean it leaked bad enough i saw it drio onto the manifold, no fire then and had no heat shields, and still no shields but no fpd either.

The only way I see 2 alternators working is with 2 seperate batteries, one for the stereo, one for the car. This is how most of the high power stereo guys set theirs up, including how I had my competition s-10 lowrider set up a few years ago. IF you try to run 2 alternators together on the same circuit they will raise hell with each other and the entire car's electrical system because the voltage regulators will be fighting. You have to use an isolator, or use 2 seperate systems altogether. Either way would be more expensive than an s5 or s6 alternator.

BTW I run a directed 2400D mono amp on my denali's stock alternator, GM alternators are known to be somewhat weak, and it doesnt output as much as the stock FD alternator I bet. And I have no voltage drops. IF you run a power hungry amp like a fosgate, kenwood, or orion, then you will have voltage problems regardless. I tried to hook an orion 2500D amp up to my existing system in the truck and not only blew the supply fuse, but it was draining voltage like a mother when it hit. And honestly it didnt hit any harder than the Directed, it just used a shitload more power in doing it. So I sold it and kept the old one.

This is waht I would do: Keep both, one in use, one for spare. Alternators are reasons why some RX-7's won't start(mine too, it just pooped). I have a buddy, he works as an auto mechanic at pep boys. He's always telling me that RX-7's always come in for a new alt under warrantee. Yea, just my advice.