I just thought i would share that i have installed a 130 amp "DR44" style GM alternator on my 1983 300cd. I have a pretty demanding electrical load and the 55a could not keep up at all! I went through 3 batteries in just a couple months not to mention that my stereo would sometimes turn off because the voltage was too low to operate on. Im talking 10- 11 volts! My brushes were new too. Here is my test: I turned EVERYTHING on so this is a "worst case". A/C with blower on max and condensor fan on, 100w high beams, fog lights, rear window defrost, 300w power inverter, radar detector and other small things, and a stereo with 2 amps and an xm reciever all at idle! after 5 min my stereo has turned off, power inverter is screaming at me and my voltage is 10.1 volts and discharging! NOT GOOD! Now with all the same stuff running i am at 13.8!
While driving it is around 14.3! I have ran 4 gauge to directly to the battery along with the factory wiring that both connect to the "batt+" lug on the alternator. When i got it i was told that It can deliver up to 165a at 2500 rpm and up! This all seems perfect and you might be thinking that you can just go bolt one up and be on your way... Sadly no. The 2 "tabs" that the bolts go through to mount it are closer together to the factory tensioner will not work.
The tabs are a bit thinner too but a couple of washers used as spacers will fix that. I wound up grinding an extra tensioner down to nothing to put the thing on
I still need to make a tensioner because a prybar is not proper! I am not sure if anyone has put an alternator like this on and had to make their own tensioner but if so i would be up to purchase one from you!
Now im 16 so give me a break about it being a little sloppy, its still a work in progress!
Enjoy and please feel free to ask questions!
11-17-2012, 03:09 AM
130a GM alternator on my 300cd!
Linear Mode
