High Output Alternator

[Zhiro]

I have a 2001 Q45t with a 1100 watt sound system. I have a 1800 kinetik battery, and the alternator is stock or an OEM replacement rated at 110 amps. The stock alternator can't handle my setup, so I am thinking about installing a high output 200amp alternator. Has anyone tried installing a high output alternator? Excessive Amperage will sell me one for 385 shipped rated at 200 amps. Also, I was told by a mechanic that had changed my alternator, before, that it required a special tool. Is this true?

Oh and another question. How difficult is it to change the alternator on a 2001 Q45t? The 2 times I have had to change the alternator, the mechanics ended up charging me extra! Stating that there were sooo many extra things they had to remove just to do the alternator.

[qship96]

be very careful to check the new alternator OUTPUT CURVE.....a 200 amp high output alternator sometimes actually puts out LESS amps at lower RPMs than a stock rated alternator!!!! At what RPM is it producing 200 amps???? how many amps is it producing at idle speed, 1500 rpms, 2000 rpms, 2500 rpms, etc........compare these numbers to the stock specs to really know what you are purchasing.....peak amps produced at 5000 rpms look great on paper, but dont mean much in real world usage!!!!!


On a side note, I would be more concerned about the irreversable damage that can be done to your hearing if you are actually using even a FRACTION of those 1100 watts while actually sitting in ther car.......

[Zhiro]

That's the thing, I rarely blast my system, and I listen to rock more than bass. When my OEM died, I had it rebuilt for 200 installed and it died in 30 days. Then I went to another guy that put in a Denso or Nippon, not OEM but new or remanufactured, and it started giving me problems about a year after having it done for 350. So, I am thinking that if I upgrade to a 200 watt amp, then my problem will be solved. But, from what I am reading in the forums, my best bet seems to be an OEM unit. Do you think it is worth buying a used OEM unit from a salvage that has been tested?

[qship96]

used oem from a low mile wrecked car should be ok if tested before install. have you priced oem rebuilt from www.everythinginfiniti.com

[Zhiro]

Yup. The link redirects to Infinitipartsusa.com and the alternator costs 308. Would love to hear from anyone who has installed a High Output Alternator on their infiniti. Also, anyone with 1000 watt plus systems using stock alternator? What is your set up and how stable has it been?

[lino]

My alternator failed on my Q and I went with a genuine reman from the dealer because these cars can be fussy. I learned that when I installed my DRLs. I didn't need anything better than stock since I have no extras, only the stock sound system. So I don't have any experience with the Q unfortunately.

What I can share with you is my experience with my Mercedes. It came equipped with every power option in the world and then some and only a 65 amp alternator. After installing an alarm system and other goodies, I decided to upgrade the alternator and bought a 150 amp unit from a CL55 AMG which was the highest output factory alternator available at the time. All I had to do was swap my old pulley on to the new alternator and form there it was just plug and play.

I bought an Optima Red Top and 2 battery terminals that can take a zero gauge wire:






I never had a problem with that setup.

[Q451990]

How difficult is it to change the alternator on a 2001 Q45t? The 2 times I have had to change the alternator, the mechanics ended up charging me extra! Stating that there were sooo many extra things they had to remove just to do the alternator.

It's on the top and appears to be ultra simple according to the FSM. Check it out at www.nicoclub.com/FSM/ and then go to EL-56. I could be wrong, but I think you were getting the old "well it's an Infiniti, so of course we can charge more" line of thought from whoever charged you more last time.

Heath