I have an '82 Camaro and I just put in a new engine, what I'm finding is that all my electrical crap(fan, stereo, Neon) is to much of a load for the alternator ,which is already the biggest off the shelfer I can get, and my lights constantly dim and the car is hard to start some mornings. If I add a second alternator where the A/C Compressor was how will I wire it up? I will be adding a second battery here pretty quick as well for music when the car is off and that will be in parallel with the first one. Also does it matter which was the Alternator spins?

 

the first question is how old is your battery and alternator?

second is what is the rating and type of your alternator?

this information would be helpfull in figuring out your problem.

 

I can't remember what size my alternator is but it was the biggest one you could get from GM (I think between 65 and 75amp)and it is brand new, as is my battery which is a 650CCA amp battery. Absolutly everything on the car is new from engine to starter to fuel pump to everything.

 

why not just get a 140amp alt. and a bigger batery like 900or higher cca's

 

You may try to upgrade to the newer CS130 alternator, I believe it carries about a 105 amp rating to operate with TPI. There are also higher rated batteries, I squeezed a 1000 CCA Trailblazer battery in my S10 Blazer. Also stay away from the discount store rebuilt alternators. I understand they de-rate the high current alternators to give you a lifetime warranty they can live with.

 

I can't fit a battery any bigger into the car without modifying the stock battery tray. Also it is far cheaper for me to add a second alternator then to get the 130amp one. All I need to know is how I would wire it if I do decide to go with the 2.

 

I just recently had a similar problem in my 86 T-A,

after talking with the guys at alternatorparts.com I have a little bit more knowledge about alternators, it seems that there are different types (I.E. 10si,12si,17si,ect,ect). they recommended to me that I get rid of my 10si 85 amp from autozone (the only one they list for my car) and go with a 17si 105 amp, I got mine from napa. they said that the larger case models put out more amps at low rpm than the smaller case models. make sure you check and see what type of alt. your getting, they make a 10si 140 amp but it will still not have the output at lower rpm (idle). I tried advance, pepboys,and autozone and none of them could tell me what type they sold only the amps. napa was the only one that could tell me.

 

1986redbird, that's good info I now know who to see next time I need an alternator. Right now I've got an Advance auto parts lifetime unit in my Z. About once every 8-9 mos I'm replacing it what a POS. They don't even know what they've got. Next time I'll talk to NAPA or my local alternator repair shop.

 

I'm not sure but I would think you'd need some sort of isolater for the 2 alternators so they don't cook themselves or just make a whole new elec. system from the 2nd alternator for your non essential car items (neons, stereo, etc).

I'd personally opt for getting something better than a 650CCA battery, modifying the tray would be easier than adding another alt. Also, Summit has a pre-88 140amp alt for $169 (SUM-G1669).

 

Beene Dont Buy anything from Autozone ever again. I worked at one for 2 years and i can tell you from first hand experience that 75% of their stuff is crap. Only buy name brand stuff like Mr. Gasket and things like that. Stay away from starters, alternators and things of that nature. theres a reason their the cheapest in autoparts, thats because their stuff is crap.

 

Something like this is what I was talking about for a regulator
http://www.amplepower.com/products/sarv3/

or something like this


from here... http://www.adverc.co.uk/technical/technical-twin.htm

 

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Ditto... If I buy from Advance it's only if they can sell me a name brand. I recently bought an AC Delco (new) starter from them at a price better than at the dealer. I got screwed once on lifetime brakes from them, they changed brands and said what I had was their 1 year warranty crap. I just told them in the end to stick 'em where the sun don't shine and went to Autozone and bought Performance Friction (a better move). Oh by the way deadbird that's an interesting set-up on the alternators. I just wouldn't want it on my go fast car, maybe on an offroad 4X4 truck would be nice. I'm going to keep this idea close at hand.

 

Before adding the second altinator, check to see if you can get one with a larger rating. I have added a second altinator on a test vehical at the research lab, and it was a pain, requiring a custom bracket. However, this was in a Ford Escort (blah). If your running low on juice at an idle, you can also concider a larger pully. Good luck!

 

Sorry but the larger pulley SLOWS the alternator.
The reason underdrive pulley kits come with larger alternator and water pump pullies and smaller crank pullies is to slow the accessories. It's all about ratios and mechanical advantages.

 

HAHA, thanks for catching me. Yes, the smaller pulley will spin the altinator faster, larger pulleys will underdrive them. I was doing too much on the internet at once

 

Hey, I know that feeling. Half the time I spend so much time online I'm typing through GLAZED eyes and end up editing for my typos and incorrect responses.
Later,
Mike

 

the battery doesnt have to be larger in physical size in order to produce more amperage. You can get the same size battery with more amperage. you may have to look harder but diehard and others make the same size battery with more amperage, for those just like you that need more amperage.
---Justin Myers
Houston. tx.