Got the red battery light on my '05 just a little bit ago while going to get something to eat. The light sticks around until I get on it a bit and then it'll go away, and come back on. So I assumed it was the alternator and took it to O'reilys to get it checked and it said low output. Went and talked to my mechanic and he said he'd put a new one on in the morning, so I figure he'll put the OEM one on.

What's the difference between the OEM alternators and say like, DC alternators?
I read a lot on here about people saying to put a DC alternator on, but at this point I don't really have time to buy one online and have it shipped to me, because I need my truck tomorrow afternoon.

 

Its a HUGE Diffrence


DC Power Rules all the way

and the Reman OEM ALternator is a Crap Shoot although better that Chain Store

Just take easy on the truck for a Couple days and Order the DC Power it will likely be the last alternator you BUY

What Voltage is it putting out

Sounds like it a little low volts But I bet you have time to get a DC Power you will be glad you did

 

DC is more than likely better but you have to do what you have to do. If you can't wait your locked in. Bottom line.

 

I'm not sure how many volts it is putting out, the guy at O'reilys didn't tell me. I did look at the screen and I think it said 19. something. Will this be good enough to get me by tonight until the morning?

I haven't had any issues starting at all so far.

Would it be worth it to just get the new alternator in, order the DC one and replace?

 

Just to stir the pot a little...

Why does everyone keep messing with the small case 6G and not swap to a large case 3G? Just have to modify the wiring harness a touch.

The 3G is proven for longevity and performance, plus 130+ amps readily available. It's an OEM option rather than pay out the nose for an aftermarket solution.

Josh

 

Its worth the wait for DC

If you have After Market Stereo or anything like that you will just kill the OEM Reman

My truck could chewup and spitout a OEM Reman in less than 5K

I could be wrong but if the Battery light just starting to flicker the Alternator just starting to go the Heat is Killing the Alternator I could watch mine the hottoer the Day the less power it would produce

Hell I drove mine for 2 months last year this same time of year with a battery light flicker but I also had a ScanGaugeII and new I wasnt to far out of whack

Its your call you need a scangauge to see really where you sit you might be OK for a Few Days or it could Kill Over IDK

How Far you got to go???

 

Not far really, just to my girlfriends haha. I'm just more pissed that I probably shouldn't drive it, right after i got my straight pipe on.

 

LOL I thought you had to use it for work

Another thing to consider is these China Alternators Tend to fail Fast and Alot and Everytime it does die the FICM is AT risk of Failure

This is my reasoning for TOP OF THE LINE ALTERNATOR

spend alittle extra on a Good Alternator and Keep the FICM Happey

 

I think once I get a little extra cash in my pocket I'll buy a DC one to have on hand for when this one goes out.
What is the difference between the OEM high output ones, XP, and SPX's?

 

To be Honest I dont Know besides the Amp output

I think Bismic Knows

 

Im glad my truck isnt the only one pissed at its owner. FYI its probly best to get another alt. in the truck for now DC is backed up a few days. Im still waiting for a tracking number on mine and I ordered it on Monday.

Sarge

 

Man thats not Good

they are Popular Items

when I got mine they was out of 185amp

But I wanted the 190amp Pretty good price jump for 5amps IIRC

Sarge If you dont mind me asking what did the wire upgrade Run you???thanks And what size wire did they recomend???

 

The wire upgrade was about another 50 bucks, and Im not sure what the size is, I was going to make them myself but I figured that they were the experts and they would make them to handle what the alt. is putting out, there fore I wouldnt create any unwanted issues.

And I also went with the 250 xp, as you know per there recomendation.

Sarge

 

The OEM model only goes to 190A, so it (by definition) is quite a bit lower in amps at idle and at max output when compared to the XPs and SPXs.

There are also internal differences - the XP and SPX models have:

More diodes
High efficiency rectifier
The surface area of the rectifier is over twice the size of a conventional high output alternator rectifier.
High efficiency Stator
Better heat sink (I think)
Thermal protection (all of them have Temperature compensation)
Digital voltage regulator
Some differences in the wire itself (rectangular copper) - don't know all the benefits, but see below.

I am not really sure of the differences between the SP and SPX (other than the case)

Advertising stuff below (I like the 100% made in the USA : GREAT JOB DCPower!)

DC Power Engineering’s Proprietary High Output XP Series Alternators are built on the world’s first Segment Conductor (Hairpin) alternator design. The XP series alternators are 20 percent lighter and provide a 50 percent increase in output than a conventional wound alternator. This is achievable by using rectangular copper for its stator, which increases the density of the windings from 45 percent to 70 percent. These patented technological advances have made it possible to increase the generation efficiency by 10 percent to improve fuel consumption and performance. The XP series alternators are capable of producing a minimum of 150 amps at idle at 275°F and can produce as much as 200 amps at idle depending on the vehicle application thus producing as much as 70 percent of it's maximum output at idle.

DC Power Engineering’s High Output SPX Series Alternators provide over a 75 percent increase in output than a conventional designed alternator. This is made possible by using a much larger “large case” design for extreme idle and top end performance without sacrificing dependability.

All of our XP series alternators are designed for one purpose, brute force idle output. When you need the most extreme idle output with the most sophisticated integrated alternator-monitoring system to prevent thermal failures is where the XP alternator delivers. Every DC Power product we sell is held to the strictest quality standards in the industry. We only use 100% brand new USA made components along with one of the most rigorous testing before each individual alternator leaves our shop. Each XP series alternator comes standard with our custom hard-anodized billet aluminum pulley and 2-year replacement warranty.

For the real scoop - give them a call

 

Yes Sir I totaly Understand thanks for your Reply