Altenators
02-26-2003, 12:28 AM
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 28
This past weekend my voltage went from overcharging at about 16 volts to not charging at all. I wondered if it might just be the gauge at first, but when it was charging at 16 volts, I had some really bright lights. When the voltage dropped though, that went away and the lights are quite dim now. My question is, I have seen where some people mount a GM altenator in the place of the Mazda one. Is this done out of convinience for cost and availability or is this because the GM works better? Also, if I go with the GM, are there any special requirements to make the GM one work for an 83 with a 12a? Also, which GM altenator will fit best? Any answers will be greatly appreciated. I, at least have a spare for now until I can buy a good new replacement.
02-26-2003, 01:21 AM
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Vanderhoof,BC(Canada)
Posts: 5,542
IF you were hitting 16 volts before then your regulator must be shot.It shouldn't go over 15 max.As for a GM alternator thats the first I heard of using one.I heard you can use the FD one tho.They crank out 100 amps of juice.
02-26-2003, 03:01 AM
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,788
16 volts is very high. I would have thought about 14.4V is max.
If your running a big stereo or something, I would recommend an alternator with a higher rating to keep your battery happy, or if not, the original rating is obviously sufficient. I know of a few people who have put in big stereos and not upgraded their alternator resulting in flat batteries, electrical problems, dimming headlights on bass notes, etc.
If your running a big stereo or something, I would recommend an alternator with a higher rating to keep your battery happy, or if not, the original rating is obviously sufficient. I know of a few people who have put in big stereos and not upgraded their alternator resulting in flat batteries, electrical problems, dimming headlights on bass notes, etc.
02-26-2003, 10:51 AM
#4
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 22,465
you can put a gm one on there, the biggest mazda one is 100a you can get 160?a gm ones. any rotary alternator up to 88 will bolt right in. the 89-92 ones need 2 wires spliced, and the fd one needs a pulley
mike
mike
02-26-2003, 06:09 PM
#5
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 28
Thanks for the answers. My thoughts are that the regulator is shot also. Like I said, I have another factory replacement, but it is just like going to the scrapyard, I have no idea how long it will last. If you check out cardomain.com, there are two or three first gens with GM altenators on them. The only thing is they say they mount them upside-down. I just wasn't sure about the wiring difference between the Mazda and GM.
02-26-2003, 06:14 PM
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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As of right now, there is not a stereo of any kind in my rex, but there are plans for either one square 12 or one JL 12 W7 if the price is right. Just as a future note drifter, sometimes just a better ground will solve a problem with dimming lights. I had a Sentra with an Orion Cobalt 400 driving 4 Fosgate 10's, that would hit 144db, using the stock altenator and my lights hardly ever dimmed. The battery wouldn't last very long without the car running though.
02-26-2003, 10:05 PM
#7
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Location: Miami, FL
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Originally Posted by nathandt' date='Feb 27 2003, 12:09 AM
If you check out cardomain.com, there are two or three first gens with GM altenators on them. The only thing is they say they mount them upside-down.
03-04-2003, 09:37 PM
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 28
Directfreak, I looked all through cardomain the other night and I couldn't find my example I was looking for. I know that I saw that somewhere and I was sure that is was on cardomain, but I guess that I was wrong. If I find it somewhere again, then I will be sure to post the info for you.
