Recently, I changed out my 250w rms amp to a 600w rms for my 600w rms sub. Within 2 weeks, it started cutting out and the fuse blew. When i had it at circuit city, this guy hooked up some sort of tool to check voltage and what not, and he told me to turn my stereo up a bit. When the bass hit, you could hear the alternator slow down and see the lights dim. I have noticed also that the battery meter on the dash only reads at about 5/8 charged, even when the amp is off. The car just hit 90k miles, and I think the alternator is stop. My questions are:
1.) Should I just buy another stock alternator because this ones going bad
2.) Should I go aftermarket to support the juice going to the sub? The oem stock alternators are 105 amps.
3.) Should I have mine rebuilt at a local specialist and have them add more power?

I've searched high and low online for an aftermarket alternator with more amperage but I can't seem to find one for the 3.4L V6.

Thanks in advance!

 

Try powermaster alternators. they are almost 200 bucks though......You best bet would be to call summit racing at 1800 230 3030 and explain to them your situation

 

My S10 had the same problem, but it wasn't in the alternator. The probolem lies in the battery. I would recomend going with an Optima yellow top battery and a 2 farad capacitor. If you can find a higher output alternator, it will definately help with the whole problem.

 

May want to try the alternators used in Camaro cop cars, if you can find them. They run a ton of lights, radios, and computers, while idling for long periods of time.

 

Well I just happened to find a local alternator specialist who said if I took out the alternator myself and brought it in, it would cost 150 bucks. For this cost, they would completely rebuild the alternator and said that afterwards I would have 150 amps worth of power instead of 105 amps. For one, is this expensive for that procedure? Also, would 45 extra amps help with the 500watt rms amplifier I have on my stereo?

 

It is a little bit expensive, but the extra amps will help. I would shop around or try to negotiate the price. I'm running 1000Watt peak amp in my S10 with a 100 amp alternator and 650 watts RMS. I don't have problems with my bass dimming my lights and so fourth. So far it looks like your best bet is to get the alternator rebuilt.

 

The 150 AMP equates to 1800 Watt RMS at 12 Volt, so if your total load exceeds 1800 Watt, the lights will dim.

 

well thanks a ton for the feedback so far! I guess I have a new question for yall, and that is: What is the standard power load on a 94 Stock V6 3.4L. Does it use the full 105 amps when the lights are on and what not? This is without any subwoofers or amps or anything.

 

http://www.highoutputalternator.com/index.htm
200 amps should set you straight lol.

 

i would jus rebuild your altanator. when i put the stereo in my car, it killed my altanator. ive a 4000watt amp pushin 4 12" subs at 1000watts each and the the altanator has lasted so far and its been a little over a year now.