High Output Alternator for 03 Dodge Neon?
(2011-04-28 14:15:27) 1. Says: I have a lot of questions for this subject! So I have a 2003 Dodge Neon SE and I am looking to get a bigger alternator for my car audio needs. I have contacted many places, only received a few replies so far. The average price for a 200 amp alternator is around $400. Is this normal? Seems a little expensive to me. Also, Hod do you measure amperage when you install one? Do you know of any places to contact, since I know an HO Alternator for my car is not very common. Also, has anyone bought from PowerMax USA on ebay? They actually have a 200 amp alternator for $250, but since the price is so low I am scared that the quality of it isnt good or the amperage isnt accurate. Lastly, is it at all beneficial to upgrade it without upgrading the lead from the alternator to the battery? I believe the alternators are plug-n-play so I do not understand how you can upgrade the wire going from the alternator lead to the battery lead. Sorry so many questions, but I want to make a smart decision, since this is a pretty big investment.2. Says: Alternators can be quite expensive and keep in mind that most alternators being sold now a days are reconditioned and not all the stores etc will mention this fact unless you directly ask them, plus many of the brand new alternators have the same warranty as many of the rebuilt alternators.So you might want to check with the alternator/starter re-builder shops they always charge a core charge or ask you for your old alternator but they may offer a trade in value on your old working alternator.Otherwise you may want to try different auto wreckers especially the U pull yards bec that way you get to choose the vehicle you remove the alternator from and also save a few bucks too.Basically the higher amp alternator is made a bit more solidly, has a bigger rectifier and there would be a noticeable difference between it and the regulator original alternator.The best way to find out such info is go check out the alternator and parts stores and then you'll have a pretty good idea of whats what but there should be obvious signs and part numbers etc.
The alternator wire that runs to the battery is a certain gauge due to how many amps/load it has to deal with and on the average it's probably a 5 gauge wire and the lower the gauge the thicker the wire gets.If you upgrade this wire you want to upgrade the main engine block ground wire too this wire should be going to the negative battery post.
Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way I'd probably keep the old alternator and it might be a good idea to keep the original engine block ground cable and attache it to the frame/chassis etc this way you will have the new ground plus the extra ground.I'd also want to use a new ground connection for the new amp and clean all the connections I've mentioned just note if the vehicle has a factory stereo and a ignition security/alarm feature make sure you have the codes or procedures handy before disconnecting the battery for too long.3. Says: you don't have to up grade the wire to the alternator ,the computer actually helps control a part of the regulator for it,the quality of the alternator your looking at is good ,i have used them before,they will supply a more consistent amount of amperage,one thing you will notice at first is a check engine light coming on when you first install it,the computer detects a different amount of amperage being put out so it trips the cel light,but it will go out shortly after the car has been ran a few seconds,don't be afraid of the price of the alternator is fine for most applications,i used one a while back to upgrade a car that had a high amplifier on it for a stereo system,they work, and are guaranteed,make sure it says new not re-manufactured,good luck. Tag: High Output Alternator for 03 Dodge Neon?