alternator

[mattmurdoch]

Question.

I found out today that the reason my alternator had crapped out was something to do with it over heating and melting the insulation.

now I'm not to sure how many of you would have serious i.c.e (in car entertainment) in your wagons or family cars, but here it go's any way.

i was running a 12 volt 600watt amplifier to power my woofer, could this have possibly burnt my alternator out? due to un-stable current draw as I'm figuring each time it would pick up a bass line the power needed to run the sub may have changed. so would the constant change in current possibly cause the problem?. i would like to keep the sub and amp and maybe if that was the problem then i could possibly look at a capacitor?

well any insight would be welcomed,

Cheers,
Matt

[pig75]

I have 1800 rms watts of amps in my MU and for comps i use up to 6000wrms and never had a problem with my alternator

[mattmurdoch]

yea see my stuffs just casual had my good stuff stolen a while back and have kinda shied away from expensive for a wile, you don't use a capacitor?

[pig75]

cap's are a waste of money.
I have 2 in my install but they are there for show only and in competition they are worth points for install

[mattmurdoch]

sweet as thanks for your help

[geeves]

600 watts = 50 amps Isuzu alternator = 60 amps max
Run it at full noise for any length of time with lights on etc and it could flatten the battery but shouldnt hurt the alternator.
I have a mate who imports 240 amp alternators. They will bolt to the standard fitting but dont have the vac pump and cost just over $1100

[Garth]

The size of the battery in a four wheel drive should compensate for changes in current draw. Sure the alternator might have to work hard at times to keep it topped up but doubt that would kill it. I have a 12 to 240 v inverter in mine. A small amp for the Sub. A huge spotlight roof mounted, and one on the back for reversing and haven't had any trouble with flat battery etc.

[mattmurdoch]

hmm yea it over heated any thoughts on how the hell yourd manage to do that apprently its pretty common in isuzus to have the alternator crap out about 170000k's my trucks done 165 so maybe its just old age?

[geeves]

Normal cause is mud causeing bad conections that then cause the stator to burn out. If the alternator light stays on its best to disconect the cable at the back asap and limp home on battery only.

[superturbocompound]

i was having problems with my alternator,it was trying to run two electrick fans,it would only last for about 3 months before it burns up,so a shop recommeded a big horn alternative which produce 80amps instread of the 60amp from the stock rodeo.it does work but just enough,

[mattmurdoch]

my damn alternator light neva came on and it seemed it was an ongoing problem as i was having voltage spiking for about 3 months befor it shat itself. sa for the bighorn upgrage thats what i have coming in the mail ;D

[trikimu]

i had my vacume pump fail sending oil into my alt windings which in turn insulated the brushes.

[trikimu]

if 600w is the rms value your peak value would be 849w, which is 71 amps peak. 36 amps if you run a 24v system