When it comes to optimizing the performance of your vehicle, increasing the alternator capacity is a crucial step. The alternator plays a key role in charging the battery and powering the electrical system of your car. By enhancing the alternator capacity, you can ensure that your vehicle has a reliable source of power for all its electrical components.
What is Alternator Capacity?
Alternator capacity refers to the maximum amount of electrical power that the alternator can generate and supply to the battery and electrical system of the vehicle. It is typically measured in amperes (A) and is an important factor in determining the overall efficiency and performance of the electrical system.
Why Increase Alternator Capacity?
By increasing the alternator capacity, you can ensure that your vehicle has enough power to meet the demands of all its electrical components, especially if you have added aftermarket accessories such as high-powered audio systems, lighting upgrades, or other electronic devices. A higher alternator capacity can also help prevent battery drain and ensure a consistent power supply.
How to Increase Alternator Capacity
There are several ways to increase the alternator capacity of your vehicle. The most common method is to upgrade to a higher output alternator that is designed to handle higher electrical loads. These alternators are typically rated for higher amperage output and can provide more power to the electrical system.
Another option which is far more complicated is to install a dual alternator setup, where a second alternator is added to the vehicle to share the electrical load. This can be particularly useful for vehicles with high power demands or for off-road vehicles that require additional power for accessories.
Benefits of Increasing Alternator Capacity
By increasing the alternator capacity, you can ensure that your vehicle has a reliable source of power for all its electrical components, reducing the risk of battery drain and electrical system failures. This can help improve the overall performance and efficiency of your vehicle, especially if you have added aftermarket accessories or modifications that require additional power.
Maximizing the alternator capacity of your vehicle is a smart investment that can help ensure a consistent power supply for all your electrical components. By following these tips, you can enhance the performance and efficiency of your vehicle's electrical system, providing a reliable source of power for all your driving needs.
Common reasons for upgrading
If your running 1 or 2 DCDC chargers in your vehicle then there is a good chance that you're not getting the most from your DCDC units or not charging your start battery effectively due to the load being shared amongst your aftermarket accessories.
Nowadays we are seeing vehicles setup with 40/50A DCDC for a vehicles Dual Battery System which is no problem as a factory Alternator is large enough with excess capacity to handle this. Where we are starting to see issues is when the vehicle is towing a Caravan or Camper Trailer, and it is also equipped with a BCDC 40/50A Charger and the vehicle isn't designed to handle this 80-100A draw whilst still running your other accessories (Driving Lights, UHF's, Air Compressors, Running Lights, Ditch Lights, Roof Top Lights and more).
Where it becomes even more of a concern is we are starting to see 75A and 100A Battery Management Systems in Caravans from companies like RedArc. So, it's more important now that you access and consider all these requirements and get your Silverado towing vehicle setup to accommodate your needs.