As you may have read in a previous thread, i have had problems powering my 3 air compressors adequately. My combined load current of the three compressors is 78 amps, and my stock toyota alternator in only 80 amp. This has given me a result in voltage drop a low as 10.5 volts at times and has put my compressors and truck at a dangerous risk.
To correct this problem, i have replaced my optima yellowtop with an even higher performing battery and also i ordered a high output alternator yesterday from DC power industries. This alternator claims it will have a max output of 270 amps, and 140 at idle. I believe that this will correct my problem. DC power hand builds these alternator and they are made to order so it will be a few week until i install it.
as we speak, i am upgrading charge and ground leads to 2/0 welding cable, perhaps oversized but bigger is always better and i have some left over from another project.
I bought my DC alt. right around christmas and i just got it installed other day… Weather has been terrible, and while i was at it i had a bad squeek / squeel in one of the pullys or belts, so i wanted to replace the pullys , tensioners, and serp. belt / ac belt… Took it all to my shop and they slapped it on quicker than i would have got serp. belt off, lol.
But anyhow, i havent noticed much difference yet since i still have stock ground and + wire… Going to have my other shop do the “Big 3” for me most probably or i might just tackle it myself … But gotta research it more…
The compressor does seem to fill faster now but i am still having the low idle issue where i can hear the compressor going up and down if i am just idling and turning my wheel or something… Hopefully upgrading the big 3 will take care of this but i suspect i will need to re run a larger power line to my compressor since the one from siege engineering might be to small…
I am also running an odyssey battery which tremendously helped the power in my truck for lights…
Heres my stats on alternator.
Mounting Type Direct fit to OEM Mounting
Max Amperage 280
Idle Amperage 160
Positive Stud Size 8MM x 1.25
I can’t stress this enough. It is the first thing a guy should do for audio systems or anything drawing some real juice.
Stock wiring sucks. Maybe 6ga course stranded wire - ppffft.
here is the new alternator.
Holy poop this honker’s bad oven. It puts out 270 amps, but really thats way more than i need. It’s nice to have the extra power for any future mods that may come up. With this alternator, the truck maintains 14.4 volts under any circumstances. Even with the truck idling and the hi-beams on, all three compressors, AC, Stereo cranked up LOUD, it dosn’t even put a dent in the performance. Problem solved.
