HO alternator installattion

[Ryman]

I'm looking to get a ho Alt cuz I just installed my system and already burned my first battery. how do I install a ho alt cuz our alternators are deep in the engine bay. And how do I test my alternator so I don't burn through that as well.

[ARKQX33V6]

Burned your battery with the alt, not possible, check the regulator. Batteries that overcharge do so because regulation is bad, the alt is just the supplier of electrons, the regulator is the cop. Also test your battery each cell, then all cells, then with a S.G. tester. The battery needs to be good before going into service.

[Chuck Tribolet]

What ARK said.

Could you be more specific about "burned my first battery"?

By system do you mean sound system?

Note that starting batteries do not like to be run way down. That's a good way to kill them.

[Ryman]

yeah sound system the battery died because I didn't recharge it... k so my alt is pretty much ok? i figured it's just i'm drawing too much power you guys have any idea how to put in a ho alternator?

[Innovazn]

yeah sound system the battery died because I didn't recharge it... k so my alt is pretty much ok? i figured it's just i'm drawing too much power you guys have any idea how to put in a ho alternator?

the only time youll really need a higher output alternator due to a system is when you start seeing your lights dim. Thats when you get a Capacitor (to bandaid the problem) and get a higher output alternator so that youre not running strain on said battery.

Invest in a deep cycle like Optima. Youll still see the dimming lights (if you even see it) but the battery will sure as hell take it like a man.

[Pathfound49]

Ryman. If/when you buy the alternator, can you let us know where you get it and how much you pay. Been thinking about it myself.

[ganesh21]

here is two reliable supplier for HO alternator:

www.mechman.com
www.excessiveamperage.com

96 - 99.5 alternator - up to 200 amp @ 80 amp at idle (direct bolt on)
00 - 04 - up to 250 amp @ 90 amp idle (direct bolt on)

Oh yea, I have a 200 amp alternator for 96 - 99.5 pathfinder if any is interested

[Ryman]

Innovazn - i already have a deep cycle battery... it's an xs power d3400 it's a solid batt but if it gets drained i need a ho alt to charge it back up within a reasonable time... i don't want to sit in the driveway charging the battery everytime i want to shut my car down.
ganesh - yeah i'm probably going to get a mechman alt if i do get one I have my eyes set on my system I just don't know how to get to the alt... installing the alt I can handle, getting to it is the hard part. I'm running the same sub as you ganesh 15" BTL 2nd gen tuned to 36hz
Anyone know how to get to it? Can break it down?

[ganesh21]

How to remove the alternator:

1. Disconnect battery and remove from vehicle
2. Remove Plastic Cover on the bottom
3. Remove Fan Housing cover- both top and bottom.
4. Disconnect the over flow hose (small house connected to the radiator)
5. Release the tension until belt is off the alternator.
6. Loosen the bold holding the alternator
6. Disconnect harness to battery and ground to batter
7. Pull alternator to front and pull over between the fan blade.

[Innovazn]

Innovazn - i already have a deep cycle battery... it's an xs power d3400 it's a solid batt but if it gets drained i need a ho alt to charge it back up within a reasonable time... i don't want to sit in the driveway charging the battery everytime i want to shut my car down.
ganesh - yeah i'm probably going to get a mechman alt if i do get one I have my eyes set on my system I just don't know how to get to the alt... installing the alt I can handle, getting to it is the hard part. I'm running the same sub as you ganesh 15" BTL 2nd gen tuned to 36hz
Anyone know how to get to it? Can break it down?

Im sorry.... how big is your system exactly? if your Deep cycle is getting drained so easily something is SERIOUSLY wrong with your charging system.... that or you have some sort of electrical drain.

[ARKQX33V6]

Try recharging your deep cycle with an equalizer charge. Deep cycle battery will be prone to sulphation in an automotive application. The electrolyte may be dielectric in state of the charge. An equalization period will change the state of charge to a full electrolyte. An electrolyte is a liquid conductor.

In any battery with less than the correct charge the electrolyte can and does lose the ability to hold a charge because of sulfates mixing in the blend of the electrolyte and reducing the Ah of the battery. A controlled overcharge is required.

What to do!
Be safe, batteries are time bombs, no open lights or flames, wear protective equipment, eyes for certain!
Get a battery charger with 2, 10, 50 A charging rate. Fill battery to full with pure distilled water, no acid to be added.
Charge to full charge at 2-10 A
After full charge examine with Specific Gravity battery tester and verify a full charge state.
Put charger at 50 A setting and overcharge the battery at 2 minute increments. If this is the first time doing this, pay heed to the time intervals, you can always add more time.

After the first 2 minutes check the electrolyte level and feel the battery for excessive heat. Test the electrolyte with S.G. tester.

Re do a 2 minute overcharge.

Re-examine the battery voltage and S.G.

Depending on the original state of charge the battery will return to full Ah rating and full voltage. Just be patient, DO NOT OVERHEAT THE BATTERY.

Most batteries in automotive applications can benefit from equalization but use caution. This scenario is common place with Deep Cycle batteries. But I believe a deep cycle battery is one in which a human cannot lift, other so called deep cycle batteries are a variation of deep cycle and automotive.

Auto batteries are dead at 80%, deliver and take on huge amps, have sponge like plates.
Deep cycle are large, solid plates, can be discharged up to 80% and are charged at lower amps.

Auto batteries are built to deliver large amperage to start motor.
Deep cycle deliver lower amps at 100% of the time.

Each has its purpose and battery makers combine the pros of each to make a battery that will try and do all kinds of work. Often to the dismay of the owner because of an early death, but all batteries will have an early death because of lack of proper maintenance and use.

By comparisons a good quality auto battery can last 10 years while a deep cycle has a warranty of 20 years and will perform over that when looked after.

[Chuck Tribolet]

The boat world uses the terms "starting battery", "dual-purpose", and "deep-cycle".