YotaTech Forums - View Single Post - HIGH OUTPUT ALTERNATOR, any problem if runin too high voltage??

thefallman · 08-02-2007, 09:52 PM

okay dude you missed something somewhere so let me repeat it (VOLTAGE DOESNT MATTER) thats going to be the same on all cars no matter highoutput alternator or not. That is controlled by the voltage regulator in the alternator. Your voltage regulator is set to provide aprox 14.5 volts when in opperation and your battery will provide aprox 12 volts when alternator is not in opperation. this is once again going to always be the same on all 12V Cars and Trucks. A high output alternator puts out more amps then a regular alternator not more voltage.

What will tell you if you need a high output alternator is how many AMPS you are drawing and how many amps your alternator can produce. if your headlights are dim its probably because they cannot draw enough amps. Think of Voltage as Pressure in a water hose and think of amps as the flow of that hose. You can have all the pressure in the world but if you dont have a large enough flow to supply that pressure somewhere the pressure doesnt doo a hill of beans. The flow is limited by the pump (aka Alternator).

You need to calculate your amperage draw with all your accessories on. then figure out how much your alternator can produce. you need to have an alternator that produces probably 1/4 more at least amps then you need inorder to keep your battery charged and everything working properly

08-02-2007, 09:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
thefallman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 550	okay dude you missed something somewhere so let me repeat it (VOLTAGE DOESNT MATTER) thats going to be the same on all cars no matter highoutput alternator or not. That is controlled by the voltage regulator in the alternator. Your voltage regulator is set to provide aprox 14.5 volts when in opperation and your battery will provide aprox 12 volts when alternator is not in opperation. this is once again going to always be the same on all 12V Cars and Trucks. A high output alternator puts out more amps then a regular alternator not more voltage. What will tell you if you need a high output alternator is how many AMPS you are drawing and how many amps your alternator can produce. if your headlights are dim its probably because they cannot draw enough amps. Think of Voltage as Pressure in a water hose and think of amps as the flow of that hose. You can have all the pressure in the world but if you dont have a large enough flow to supply that pressure somewhere the pressure doesnt doo a hill of beans. The flow is limited by the pump (aka Alternator). You need to calculate your amperage draw with all your accessories on. then figure out how much your alternator can produce. you need to have an alternator that produces probably 1/4 more at least amps then you need inorder to keep your battery charged and everything working properly __________________ ~Brian GETTING FIXED 89 Ex-Cab 3.4 Conv. T100 Auto Tranny ~Phoenix 94 Ex-Cab 22re 5spd Came with parts truck. Doesnt run yet. 90 4runner 3.0 Auto (Wifes Toy) 92 4runner 3.0 Auto (Currently With Blown Engine) (New 3.4 Swap i think) Last edited by thefallman; 08-02-2007 at 09:59 PM.