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.