3800 alternator question ...

[burtgtp1973]

i was wondering how many amps is our alternator stock ? my lights are starting to dim a bit when i "pump up the jam" especially when the bass hits .. is this a alternator problem or a install problem ... could i upgrade to a higher amp alt. ? if so what do you recommend ... thanks in advance .

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[EmersonHart13]

How many watts do you run? I have one 400 and one 1000 watt peak power amps in my car and I run an Optima yellow top. I get dimming when I crank it up. It should be a power problem. Especially if you have your stock battery. The alternator is the way to go. You can bandage the problem with a bigger battery or a capacitor but those have limited effects. I plan on replacing my alternator sometime in the next few months.

John

 

[00GTPSC]

I don't think pontiac makes real good altinators. I blew the one on my 99 Grand Am GT and i just blew the one on my GTP and both times the amp i was running for the subs was only 600Watts. So what i suggest you do is either run another battery just for the subs, or do what i'm doing and go on justamps.com and buy a capacitor for the system. Those things are great and they really help.

Jim

 

[burtgtp1973]

Originally posted by emersonhart13@Feb 14 2004, 05:38 PM
I plan on replacing my alternator sometime in the next few months.

John

what are you going to replace it with ?

i was looking at altenators on ebay just for the fun of it , and seen a 160 amp alt. for like 169.00 , seems a little high ... iam trying to find out what the amperage of our stockers are ... no luck ...


the funny thing is i have a grand cherokee as well and it does the same exact thing . <_<

 

[EmersonHart13]

The one that the Club GP stores sells, the hight output one.

Best that I know of.

John

 

[EmersonHart13]

http://www.clubgpstore.com/itemview.asp

 

[AdlerAudio.com]

The stock alternator is 110 amps, (on the 02's anyway). Most of the alternators sold on eBay are rebuilt alternators, which aren't bad if know and trust the person who rebuilt it. Also you should really upgrade your battery and your cables, (at least to 2awg power and ground wire, depending on the amount of power your pushing). I have an Ohio Generator 160 amp alternator and (2) 1 farad digital capacitors and my lights still dim when the bass hits B) so you may not be able to completely eliminate the dimming lights but you should definately upgrade the above listed parts before you ruin your electrical system. Hope this helps!!!

 

[rob]

I'll go with what Adler audio....Alternater and capacitors(they protect your battery from the surges the amps are draining)

3800performance has one aswell. I believe its around $200 and 160amp max draw.