Shmee

iTrader: (3)

My alternator was pretty tired this past summer so I ordered a rebuilt unit online for $130. That one didn't last longer than 3000miles before the regulator blew so I had to put the stock one back in until saved enough cash to get a HO alternator in prep for my stereo and air system upgrades in the near future. Well I've had enough for a while, but on my drive home the batter light popped on and sure enough, charging at 12.7v from idle to 2500rpm, battery sitting at 11.8v.


Threw the charger on and came inside to order the alternator.
I figured 80A barely handles the stock systems on the car with every accessory on and stereo up.
2x 30A air compressors
80A speaker amp
150A sub amp

The 320A alt seemed like the smarter buy than the 240A alt.... $500 though...
Now I just have to buy the stuff to build my 0ga big 3 upgrade!

YoshiMan

Very nice.

I always wanted to do that and the big 3 upgrade on my old Landcruiser. That thing struggled to keep the factory electrical items running when just idling at a traffic light at night!

Austinn

Tell me how you like it! I have a mechman 240amp that I have yet to install

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

Yoshi,
it's made by Mechman.


Austin,
I'll post a little unboxing here once I get it. Expecting 5-7 days to build as per their website and then shipping time... So it might be a couple weeks before I get it.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

i'm left wondering if perhaps late model LS430 units would be possible cheap oem+ upgrades for the '98-00 chassis, iirc the accessory layout is the same/similar.

'04+ LS430 are 130amp.

YoshiMan

They do look very similar just judging from pictures online, but the LS430 alternator has a third mounting point in between the other two which might get in the way.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

^^^
That would depend on the orientation needed to mount it.... it could be an issue one way but might fit 180º out?

dunno....

I do know that Mechman just sent me an automated email saying my alternator has finished building and is awaiting shipping... kinda cool. never dealt with an automotive sector company who gives you updates of the order/construction/shipping process almost instantaneously like this. Usually you don't get a update unless there is a problem and they are already a few days behind... Definitely a big +1 for Mechman so far!

Sc0pe

iTrader: (1)

Oh lord... 320A... As far as my electrical goes, it's big 3, new batteries, and finally, new alternator (I'm going for the Mechman 240A, unless you decide to sell your's at the time haha. You have any plans for batteries coming along?

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

Long term plan is an optima red top under the hood and a yellow top in the trunk once I get the stereo and air system all in. Then 2 runs of 0ga as per this chart:


For just the initial stereo, I will only need a single 0 ga run, but once I expand the stereo and add in the pair of Air Zenith compressors I should be over the output of the 240A compressor. I figure for the extra $100, it didn't make sense to cheap out.

I know I can run a single compressor and as little as a 3gal tank but with all the speed bumps and crazy driveway entrances around me, even my friends on double Viair 480 compressors and 5gal tanks end up having their compressors running a lot. The Air Zenith compressors are about 2x as fast/efficient as the Viair 480s, so fill 2x as much volume in the same time as the best of the other setups...