Alternator Upgrade?

[HawkRod]

If you get an alt able to feed all the car needs, the battery will barelly supply loads, so the alternator load will remain steady at the same car demand, meaning that EVEN THE WEAK BULKHEAD TERMINALS could hold the load on a basic equipmed car. So, yes, wiring and terninals must be addressed based on car needs ( considering stock and new accesories ) or, after all these years of abuse and bad use at least mantenience, BUT first the alt must be upgraded to be able to suply all the power at any speed, keeping the batt out of the game most of the time as posible.

I'm sorry, but unless we are misunderstanding each other, I disagree with the above. If, for example, someone adds loads to their system to increase it to a demand of 50 Amps, and they have an alternator that can supply 50 Amps, then all those 50 Amps will travel through the bulkhead connector. Yes, it is true that the battery will barely be in scope here, and little current will travel out of the bulkhead and charge the battery. But on stock Mopar wiring all the load provided by the alternator goes through ONE wire through the bulkhead, and this wire (and connector) will supply those 50 Amps.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

That’s what I’m saying. Alt will provide everything as far is capable but just if the car requires it, with stock devices or with stock plus added devices. But IF the car just sucks out 30 or 35 amps ( stock or stock plus added ) no matter if alt is 100 amps the alt will just provide that. The wiring and conectors must be matched with the car demands ( including a discharged batt!!!! )more than the alt suply by itself.

Of course as far car loads are increased then the wiring and conectors must be upgraded accordingly, but not just because the alt is upgraded.

The deal here is get more amps alternators to guarantee the better output at idle which is the main failure on Mopars, but not because you will NEED all the output coming from alt at high speed.

 

[HawkRod]

Alright - so it sounds like we are violently agreeing!!!

So to the OP: The bottom line is make sure you upgrade the electrical capability carefully and thoughtfully. Basically, higher power alternators and wiring changes (in almost all cases) need to be done together.

Good luck!

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Yes of course if you are making upgrades, better to make it together to guarantee a better setup. But in some specific cases like basic equipment cars, the alt upgrade could be enough still with stock system. However after 50+ years a propper mantenience in all conections including bulkhead and ammeter is A MUST!!!