Want to upgrade alternator. Recommendation?

[DRLexpress]

This is not for my Tahoe but respect the brain trust here. My 2004 Express 2500 6.0 came with a 105amp alternator according to RPO codes. I am wanting to go bigger because wife and I camp in it and I have put a second battery in it.
I saw this in Rock Auto.

More Information for TYC 214020

Anybody say yes or no to this one, or have any other recommendations?

 

[S33k3r]

How much power do you need? The Denali came with a 135 Amp if memory serves, and the newer trucks come with a 220 Amp setup that can be modified to work on our rigs.

 

[Tonyv__]

This is not for my Tahoe but respect the brain trust here. My 2004 Express 2500 6.0 came with a 105amp alternator according to RPO codes. I am wanting to go bigger because wife and I camp in it and I have put a second battery in it.
I saw this in Rock Auto.

More Information for TYC 214020

Anybody say yes or no to this one, or have any other recommendations?

I don’t have that exact one but I did upgrade from 105 to 145A. Which seems to be sufficient for what I need.

One piece of advice, double check if your existing alternator has 2 or 4 pins. For the 2012 express, RA list a ton of 2 pin alternators but my factory alt is 4 pin. They sell harnesses to convert to 2 pin but I read online extensively that the harness does literally nothing. I couldn’t get the 2 pin alternator to go above 13v. I learned that 13v was the “safe” zone so the alternator would just stay at 13v all the time. I returned it and got the 4 pin, my alternator now fluctuates from 13-14v as designed

 

[Fless]

I believe a change like this would require a different serpentine belt.

 

[DRLexpress]

I don’t have that exact one but I did upgrade from 105 to 145A. Which seems to be sufficient for what I need.

One piece of advice, double check if your existing alternator has 2 or 4 pins. For the 2012 express, RA list a ton of 2 pin alternators but my factory alt is 4 pin. They sell harnesses to convert to 2 pin but I read online extensively that the harness does literally nothing. I couldn’t get the 2 pin alternator to go above 13v. I learned that 13v was the “safe” zone so the alternator would just stay at 13v all the time. I returned it and got the 4 pin, my alternator now fluctuates from 13-14v as designed

Thanks, I am pretty sure it has the 4 pin plug but only has 2 wires in it and 2 empty slots. That is the one I have seen the most. I will check again to make sure.

 

[DRLexpress]

How much power do you need? The Denali came with a 135 Amp if memory serves, and the newer trucks come with a 220 Amp setup that can be modified to work on our rigs.

Yes, I read the tread about that but did not want to bother with the decoupler, introduce another failure point.

 

[DRLexpress]

I believe a change like this would require a different serpentine belt.

Never thought about that. I'll check that out this morning after breakfast. The ad says 6 rib pulley, I thought that is what was on there.

 

[Fless]

That's the width of the belt. Likely the length will need to be different.

 

[Tonyv__]

Thanks, I am pretty sure it has the 4 pin plug but only has 2 wires in it and 2 empty slots. That is the one I have seen the most. I will check again to make sure.

Same here but my understanding is the 2 wire alternators need some special signal that our 4 pin (really 2 wire) doesn’t produce. If I can dig up the link I’ll share it. Of course the link sells the part needed to mimic the signal for the 2 pin

Almost ALL the late GM Alternator Information you could need!!

ALTERNATOR INFORMATION. So let's get this ironed out now. I see so many questions about alternators, and honestly, I see a LOT of wrong answers. I'm not the most informed on the situation, but I will share all the data I have to help some of you guys out. The LS engine came with many different...

speedmaxinnovation.com

(SMI-ALT44C) 2 Pin GM Alternator Control Module

Extremely backorder right now. Delays are over 2 months Do you have the new 2-pin style alternator in your swap application? These alternators take a certain PWM signal to make them charge correctly. they are a variable voltage unit, and can command anywhere from 12v to 15.3v output from the...

speedmaxinnovation.com

 

[SpareParts]

Sorry, A little OT.
I have a 99 Express, 1500,5.7, High top. We use it for camping mostly but also works for a backup rig.
Alt from the factory is 145A.
I thought about adding a second battery but decided against it as i did not think that would last a weekend and it would be limited in what i could use electric wise and i was worried about a dead starting battery when time to leave. We always camp in remote places with no cell service and generally never see anyone else.
Have you considered 2 dedicated LiPO4 batteries?
I ended up installing 2 LiPO4 100AH batteries with all accessories ran off them.
I run a Renology 20A DC/DC charger that i can switch on/off when the engine is running to charge the accessory batteries. I also have a Renology 2000W inverter installed.
I can run a Keurig coffee maker, 19in TV for movies if it's raining, Outside LED lights at night, 12V fridge/freezer.(Nice to have Popsicles when it's 95 deg out) and interior light's.
For the wife and I this setup was a game changer for camping. It made it so easy and almost as comfortable as being home.
Going camping all we have to do is load up the fridge stop and fill up the tank and go.

 

[DRLexpress]

Same here but my understanding is the 2 wire alternators need some special signal that our 4 pin (really 2 wire) doesn’t produce. If I can dig up the link I’ll share it. Of course the link sells the part needed to mimic the signal for the 2 pin

Almost ALL the late GM Alternator Information you could need!!

ALTERNATOR INFORMATION. So let's get this ironed out now. I see so many questions about alternators, and honestly, I see a LOT of wrong answers. I'm not the most informed on the situation, but I will share all the data I have to help some of you guys out. The LS engine came with many different...

speedmaxinnovation.com

(SMI-ALT44C) 2 Pin GM Alternator Control Module

Extremely backorder right now. Delays are over 2 months Do you have the new 2-pin style alternator in your swap application? These alternators take a certain PWM signal to make them charge correctly. they are a variable voltage unit, and can command anywhere from 12v to 15.3v output from the...

speedmaxinnovation.com

Thanks, Looks like I have some more reading to do.

 

[DRLexpress]

Sorry, A little OT.
I have a 99 Express, 1500,5.7, High top. We use it for camping mostly but also works for a backup rig.
Alt from the factory is 145A.
I thought about adding a second battery but decided against it as i did not think that would last a weekend and it would be limited in what i could use electric wise and i was worried about a dead starting battery when time to leave. We always camp in remote places with no cell service and generally never see anyone else.
Have you considered 2 dedicated LiPO4 batteries?
I ended up installing 2 LiPO4 100AH batteries with all accessories ran off them.
I run a Renology 20A DC/DC charger that i can switch on/off when the engine is running to charge the accessory batteries. I also have a Renology 2000W inverter installed.
I can run a Keurig coffee maker, 19in TV for movies if it's raining, Outside LED lights at night, 12V fridge/freezer.(Nice to have Popsicles when it's 95 deg out) and interior light's.
For the wife and I this setup was a game changer for camping. It made it so easy and almost as comfortable as being home.
Going camping all we have to do is load up the fridge stop and fill up the tank and go.

View attachment 458951

Nice. Sounds very much like where I am headed. What I have now I threw together quickly about 5 yrs ago. My wife sleeps with a Cpap machine so needed something to get started. I just have a 100amp deep cycle AGM that I isolated with an old starter style solenoid. I even went as far, to be easier on the alternator, as putting a timer relay on the trigger wire for the solenoid. I start the van and drive for 10 minutes and then the solenoid connects the 2 batteries. I know, unbalanced batteries and all, but it has worked fine so far but its time to do it right. Another problem with what I have now, and I knew it when I did it, is the different charging profile of AGM and flooded lead acid. My AGM is probably only getting to like 96-98% except at home and I throw the charger on it. So I am starting with a bigger alternator and a DC-DC charger and will work on LIPO4 next.
Just got back yesterday from a few days out. If we drive every day it will keep up but if we stay in the same spot for a few days, not so much.

 

[DRLexpress]

That's the width of the belt. Likely the length will need to be different.

Thanks @Fless. The link about "Alternator Info" that @Tonyv__ left talked about that and was very informative. I never knew they moved the centerline of the alternator and still had the same mounting dimensions.

 

[S33k3r]

Anyone consider adding a solar panel or two, to keep their batteries charged?

 

[DRLexpress]

Anyone consider adding a solar panel or two, to keep their batteries charged?

Thats a little farther down the list but it is coming.

 

[S33k3r]

Thats a little farther down the list but it is coming.

I just figured it was for when the truck sits idle. I'm assuming there is nothing out there, right now, that will generate energy while driving.

 

[DRLexpress]

Sometimes it is good to be a hoarder. Looking threw my junk, inventory, I found an alternator I am not sure what it came off of. According to the great "Alternator Info" article, thanks again @Tonyv__ , it was a 145amp Bosch unit, the last of the 4 pin style.
Bolted right in, 1" longer belt, works like a champ. I have not seen 14 volts for a long time. I think the 105amp was just getting tired. I think I will rearrange my list and put the solar next and then the LIPO4 and DC-DC charger.

 

[Tonyv__]

Sometimes it is good to be a hoarder. Looking threw my junk, inventory, I found an alternator I am not sure what it came off of. According to the great "Alternator Info" article, thanks again @Tonyv__ , it was a 145amp Bosch unit, the last of the 4 pin style.
Bolted right in, 1" longer belt, works like a champ. I have not seen 14 volts for a long time. I think the 105amp was just getting tired. I think I will rearrange my list and put the solar next and then the LIPO4 and DC-DC charger.

I did not do the longer belt on mine, it still seems to fit. But I did read that I’m likely over working the tensioner pulley. I’ll cross that Bridge eventually

 

[jaywestfall]

I did the upgrade from stock to a 220 amp. Needed a serpentine belt change, too. Just be very selective on what you buy and avoid the low cost ones is the best advice I can give you.

 

[waveryd]

I did the upgrade from stock to a 220 amp. Needed a serpentine belt change, too. Just be very selective on what you buy and avoid the low cost ones is the best advice I can give you.

I have a Mechman on my '04 Yukon XL 2500 and works very well.