DIY High Output Alternator Upgrade
All vehicles are equipped with assorted electrical parts, and one needed electrical part is the alternator. Vehicles have high-output alternators to handle amperage requirements, which often means handling after market (custom) parts, like stereos and extra horsepower. By upgrading to a higher output alternator you will be equipping your car to handle the extra power, and doing it yourself can save you money.
Supplies Needed:
- Wrench
- High-output Alternator
- Using
a wrench, disconnect the black cable from the vehicle's battery.
This is the negative cable that connects to the metal parts of the
vehicle. - Disconnect
all the cables and wires from the terminals on the car's existing
alternator. To remove the plugs from the sockets you can use either
your hands or a wrench. Remove the plugs from the socket first, then
the terminal poles. - Using
a wrench, loosen the three nuts and bolts on the alternator. There
will be one at the rear and one at the front of the alternator. They
hold the alternator to the engine. The third bolt is adjusted by a
bracket on the front of the alternator. - Move
the alternator toward the front of the engine, using your hands. It
should swing easily because you have loosened the bolts. You should
be able to see the alternator belt and be able to slide it off the
pulley wheel. - Remove
the three nuts and bolts using your wrench. Hold the alternator with
one hand, this way it won't fall in the process of removing it and
replacing the new one. - Place
your high-output alternator in the same position the old alternator
was in. Push the bolts through the lugs on the front and rear, and
loosely screw on the nuts. Put the third bolt into the adjustable
bracket and thread the nut through the bolt. - Move
the alternator toward the engine and place the alternator belt over
the pulley. Use your hand and tighten the belt. Tighten the nut on the
front of the alternator, ensuring both it and the belt are tight. - Tighten
the front and rear nuts and bolts using the wrench. Check that the
alternator cannot move and that belt, nuts and bolts are all tight. - Reconnect
the cables and wires to the alternator. Replace the plastic eyelets
using your hand or your wrench. The red cable connects to the “B”
terminal and the black cable connects to the “T” terminal. The
last cable (the colored one) connects to the “F” terminal. - Reconnect
the black battery cable to the battery. Make sure to slide the clamp
over the terminal pole and tighten using a wrench.