Alternator upgrade - Discussion and How-To, AD244 still kickin A$$, now w/March Pulleys Options

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

Hey Guys,

I am about to add some more amps and stuff to the Z, which is the better upgrade?
Rebuild the CS130D or get the CS144? I am going to 200 amps at peak and around 100 at idle, both with do that, I just wanted to know what everyone else was doing. I am leaning toward the CS144, but the CS130D is smaller and I would think cool better. Let me know what you know......

-THEMEMPHISFORCE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rockon.gif)



*********************************************************************
A link to B_Rich's How-To on the AD244 Alternator Upgrade on S10Forum.

This post has been edited by Sputnik360: Mar 31 2009, 08:43 PM

[Skitch]

I read about this a couple of weeks ago, I don't recall the details but it
was someting like this.

Bigger = Better

They were saying that a small (CS130D) would be working harder than a
larger (CS144) to produce the same output, more heat.

I think it was on the Iraggi site.

[HenryJ]

I vote neither.
The AD244 is the way to go, IMO. It is the next step in evolution for the old CS144. It has several improvements going for it related to cooling and strength. It already has the smaller pulley and needs no adapter to plug in. It is a direct plug-n-play bolt in installation.

This thread has all the testing I did with a modified CS130D, hopped up CS144, and finally the AD244. S-10CREWCAB.NET - Bigger alternator. This is a long read, but there is lots of good information.

If I had to buy one knowing what I know now. I would seek a new genuine AC Delco AD244. For an application I used a 2001 1500 Suburban with the 5.3L and high output alternator...The belt I used is longer than stock. AC Delco part # 6K960 (96" six groove belt).

I bought a New "Delco" alternator from NAPA. Don't make the same mistake I did. Theirs is cheap Chinese parts. Look for genuine AC Delco. You will be money ahead in the long run.

This post has been edited by HenryJ: Feb 17 2010, 10:43 PM

[Farvafire]

whats the price on these alternators?

[HenryJ]

[Bruizer]

I'd tell you to get a Stinger HO 220amp alternator like I have, but...it was $700. But you do get to choose different colors though (Chrome, black, blue, red, yellow, orange, green, gray.)! :D

[HenryJ]

Both the CS144 I had built and this AD244 benched over 200 amps cold. Be careful of amperage boasts. You need amperage at idle speeds more than cruise speeds.
The CS144 and AD244 are capable of delivering 100 amps at idle speeds. The CS130D will only deliver 50 amps at best from an idle.

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

What did you use to build your AD244 for over 100 amps at idle and 200 peak? Thanks

[HenryJ]

Stock 130 amp stator. I don't know the method used to rate them. My measurements were cold. That may be part of it. Hot I can still pull 80 amps at idle though. At least last time I checked.

I think they are rated conservatively. Some may test much higher.

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

What other parts did you use? Regulator, how big are the diodes? and how many? Thanks

[HenryJ]

I did not build the AD244. It is off the shelf. I had to replace the regulator with a good one. I used a US made Transpo regulator. I took note of the diodes at the time, but I am not positive. I thought they were 70s. The stator looked good, but the housing was cheap.

I guess the point I was trying to get across is that an off the shelf AD244 is better than a built CS144 and a huge step up from the stock CS130D. You can spend a ton of money on a fancy alternator, or you can go to your local parts store and pick up an AD244 that will perform just great.

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

Have you seen the Iraggi Alternators on ebay? Damn, 120 to 150 amps at idle depending on the model and design and for the same price....

[HenryJ]

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

He has made some pretty impressive set-ups in the Audio world. The warrentee is all fishy. So I can get a AD244 and no problems at all with the connection plug in my 2003? Also the voltage set point would be at 14.8 right? All I have to do is go to Napa and buy a AC delco new AD244 for a 2001 suburban with the 5.3 L and put that in and good to go? I am still a bit confused on how a 130 amp stator can put out 200 amps? I thought the stator limited the current generated? I know there is a lot of questions in there but I read thru the s10 post and I want to be sure, cuz the alternator rebuild shop didn't mention any of this new info. Thanks

[HenryJ]

He might just be covering his tail on the warranty thing. I have no experience with those alternators. Just a little scared off by the attitude with the warranty thing. Seems like if you have a good product, you should be able to stand behind it.

I would pass on the NAPA alternator. I bought one and it is not good. Their electronics have gone the wrong way. They are trying to sell some pretty poor parts. Money talks , I guess.
Seek out a genuine AC Delco alternator. On a budget, a good reman. Ask your local shop for prices on a new one, and a very good rebuilt. Choose the one you can afford.

Stators are like chips in computers. They are selected and wound to provide a rated amperage. Cold many can far out perform the rating. This rating is not a standard method. RPM, heat , armature clearances, etc can effect the output.
There seem to be as many different thoughts on this as there are suppliers. I talked to several and was just amazed at the difference, and lack of true understanding. The CS144 I built used a 160 amp stator. It pegged the scale well past 200 amps cold.

I do not know it all and gather as much as I can when trying to solve a puzzle. I did spend a huge amount of time trying to solve this one.

I used my local guru in the beginning, and then when he could not answer my questions , I move on to his experts. some had a real good understanding, and a couple were rather misleading.

I went through plenty of failures trying to find a simple cost effective solution. The CS144 That we put together was outstanding, but had issues all the time. The design of the AD244 is superior. That and the over the counter availability make it #1 in my book.

Will it put out 200 amps when it is hot and I am pulling hard on the winch? I doubt it. Will it provide 100 amps in the same situation? I really think it will. That is a 100% improvement over the stock CS130D , of which I know will not provide more than 50 amps when hot.

My system is electronically overburdened. I regularly see loads at 80 amps with AC, Fans, Radio, Stereo, and lights. The ADF244 has been maintaining no less than 13.9 volts. The regulator is a maximum of 14.8 volts. I see it hanging around 14.2-14.8 most of the time. The regulator has exactly the same specs as the CS130D, IIRC. I am not so sure that they don't use the same one. Both are mounted externally to the case.

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

So if I get a AD244 case and a high wound 200 amp stator and heavy duty regulator? That would be far better then the CS130D with the same internals then? I am going to be pulling over 100 amps constantly so I need the best set up possible.

[HenryJ]

I would buy an AD244 AC Delco alternator. It will handle 100 amps all the time easily.
It is rated at 130-140 amps. If you plan on seeing 130 amps all the time then , I might go for a higher amp stator.
The supplied regulator should be fine. The NAPA unit I got was a cheap Chinese copy. The regulator I replaced had the same part number. It looked very different, but the Chinese part was "supposed" to be the same. Hence the reason I am suggesting you buy Genuine AC Delco.

If you decide to do welding with your truck , then you might want to upgrade to the 200 amp stator. I would try off the shelf first. A good one may do that much anyway.
The AD244 alternator stator looked exactly the same as the 160 am stator I used in the CS144. It benched well over as I stated before.

[THEMEMPHISFORCE]

Thanks........ AD244 AC Delco coming soon to my Z!!!!!! :judaspriest:

[Skitch]

Sounds like a good choice...looking forward to your results.

Sorta curious to see how it does when your trying to blast the
windows out of your rig... :judaspriest:

[TrailTamer]

ya, im running a AD244 right now and it work great, even with aftermarket smaller crankshaft pulley and stock pulley on the alternator, i will get new pulley for the alternator shortly from synergy offroad.

yes this thing bolt right in! :thumbup: