Date:         Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:25:10 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon 12V Alternator
Comments: To: Jerry <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <000001c739c2$c2256de0$6501a8c0@study>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

There really is nothing larger that is a direct bolt on, but with
imagination, anything is possible. The real question is determining if there
is a need. If you are not burning them up, then most likely it is capable of
doing the job.

The real problem in the Vanagon as electrical loads are added is the wiring.
You have 90 amps of alternator capacity with 60 amps of wire capacity. Yes,
an exaggeration. But turn everything on for 10 minutes with the engine held
at a fast idle and then grab those wires from the alternator. Feel that soft
mushy insulation. There really should be a 4 gauge or equal wire from the
alternator to the fuse box and a good ground wire will help a lot.

Hi capacity alternators really get their performance from improved cooling
and larger windings. A down side is that at idle or low speed, they can
actually produce less than a standard unit. This needs to be taken into
consideration. Larger alternators will not charge batteries faster as the
regulated voltage should be about the same.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jerry
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 6:05 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vanagon 12V Alternator

----ALL----

I'd like to know if there is higher amperage

alternator available for the Vanagon. I think the

OEM alternator is rated at 90 amps.

Does the Westy Vanagon use a higher amp

alternator??

Just curious, I'm thinking with the addition of

numerous new 12V electronic gadgets one may need

a little more output.



Thanks,



Jerry

88 GL BUS-ter