Alternator upgrade - Caravan

[e_fractal]

I have an 89 T1 Caravan with the stock alternator. I have a low power computer built into the dash and a 2 amp stereo system. At night with the headlights on I think Im around 14.9v at idle. Problem is I'm adding a couple screens and an external harddrive +inverter for my computer and I'm worried about battery/alternator life.

Anyone know what the stock Amperage is for these Caravans? I searched and read about the 120 amp Nip units, anyone have a part #?

[jdawg]

could be 90 or 120, shoulld say on the alt. or stamp #'s can be crossed. Use capacitors on your amps, especially the bass amp, make sure u got big enough wire and good grounds

[Timmay2]

Definetly check all your ground wires under the hood. Battery to body, battery to engine block, engine block to body. All should be nice n clean. Usually this helps alot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdawg Use capacitors on your amps, especially the bass amp,

Use capacitors mostly on your MID/HIGH amps. Capacitors are for cleaning the power and supplying a smooth voltage stream. Mid/high amps audio quality will improve greatly.

If you need to consider a capacitor for your sub amp, you need to get a bigger alternator plain and simple. Putting a cap on a bass amp is like putting a 6" exhaust tip on a honda. Sure it makes in impression but the performance isnt there.

Dont spend the money on an inverter- i did, and regret it. They do make 12v ATX power supplies for computers. About $200. They work WONDERFUL and can take the abuse much better than an inverter/standard 110v atx p/s. Ill be getting one when i revamp my cars mp3 jukebox.

[Una]

Every turbo minivan I've gotten an engine out of has had a 90amp Nippendenso alternator...

[turbovanman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by e_fractal I have an 89 T1 Caravan with the stock alternator. I have a low power computer built into the dash and a 2 amp stereo system. At night with the headlights on I think Im around 14.9v at idle. Problem is I'm adding a couple screens and an external harddrive +inverter for my computer and I'm worried about battery/alternator life. Anyone know what the stock Amperage is for these Caravans? I searched and read about the 120 amp Nip units, anyone have a part #?

PM TrboVan on here, here deals with alternators for a living.

[DakotaKid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbovanman PM TrboVan on here, here deals with alternators for a living.

Thanks for looking out for me!!

Here you are.
120 Amp Factory replacement alternator for our 2.2 and 2.5's is the following
numbers
Lester Number (any place should know what that means)
13280 (should have correct pulley), 13304, 13308, 13313
That is 120 amp and a direct bolt in replacement.
This alternator has an 8mm hole on the mounting ear.

To get the 136 amp you have to get Lester Number 13742
The only change you will need to make is you have to get a shim to go inside
the mounting ear.
This alternator has an 11mm hole

The 136 Amp alternator can be found in the following vehicles:
1997-1998 Dodge SUV, TRUCKS, VANS with 3.9, 5.2, 5.9, 8.0 engines.
1997-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 5.2, 5.9

There IS a 160 version out there, but I do not have the part numbers at the moment.

[Una]

The part is discontinued? So people with those 97 and 98 vehicles can't buy new/rebuilt alternators?

[DakotaKid]

Only the shim is discontinued.

[e_fractal]

Thanks for the part #'s and info, exactly what I needed.

I'm interested in seeing your setup Timmay. I'm using a kiosk computer with a 10.4" touchscreen which is powered off a 12v -> 24v car adapter. The inverter I'm going to use is to power an external harddrive only. I have a cheapo 150watt laying around When I finish re-upholstering my seats I'm adding a 7" screen in the drivers side headrest and another 7" screen in the pasenger side sunvisor.

Right now its only a mp3 jukebox with a 10gb harddrive .. but I have a 120gb harddrive on the way. Hope to buy a GPS adapter ($50) and a PCMCIA wireless card by the end of the month.

I only have one low power 12" Sub (Image Dynamics) sucking about 150w, and a couple Kappa 6 1/2's up front at 75w. The alternator probably has alot of miles on it, and I always have bad luck with them after I start adding all my electronics. I'm going to order the 120a alternator next week. Thanks again guys!

Disclaimer: I dont watch movies while driving and I didnt add all this stuff to show it off. Everything is very functional

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmay2 Definetly check all your ground wires under the hood. Battery to body, battery to engine block, engine block to body. All should be nice n clean. Usually this helps alot. Use capacitors mostly on your MID/HIGH amps. Capacitors are for cleaning the power and supplying a smooth voltage stream. Mid/high amps audio quality will improve greatly. If you need to consider a capacitor for your sub amp, you need to get a bigger alternator plain and simple. Putting a cap on a bass amp is like putting a 6" exhaust tip on a honda. Sure it makes in impression but the performance isnt there. Dont spend the money on an inverter- i did, and regret it. They do make 12v ATX power supplies for computers. About $200. They work WONDERFUL and can take the abuse much better than an inverter/standard 110v atx p/s. Ill be getting one when i revamp my cars mp3 jukebox.

[Chadxton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by e_fractal I have an 89 T1 Caravan with the stock alternator. I have a low power computer built into the dash and a 2 amp stereo system. At night with the headlights on I think Im around 14.9v at idle. Problem is I'm adding a couple screens and an external harddrive +inverter for my computer and I'm worried about battery/alternator life. Anyone know what the stock Amperage is for these Caravans? I searched and read about the 120 amp Nip units, anyone have a part #?

I would say either 90 or 120. That it's an 89 and a TI, I would lean more toward 90 amp.

Now, you have 2 amps. What amps? Your idle voltage is AWESOME, if not a little high, but no worry.

Adding a couple LCD screens in addition to a PC is going to make a negligable difference to the load on your charging system. Your 2 amps will out-do their power consumption by a good stretch, even if they are lower power amps.

All I would suggest currently would be a good everyday battery, say 600 cranking amps or better. Honestly, anything more is a waste of money.

I will say nay to capacitors. From being in the sound-off competition scene, more people are inclined not to use them in systems above 1kW RMS output. I have never used a cap in my systems, and I do not plan on doing so in the future either.

Rule of thumb: Your charging system (alt + batt) should be good to supply a stereo system three times of the alternators amp rating at peak. So, if you have a 90 amp alternator, and by chance happen to have 2 amps that can pull a peak 270 amps or more at full tilt, yes get something more hardcore. Otherwise, spend the money on power wire and quality signal cables.