the great alternator debate...

ok, it's not that the greatest debate but i just need some help. my alternator shit out the other day in my '07 tacoma 4L and now I gotta decide between a refurb for cheapo (which I've heard plenty of stories of crap NAPA refurbs) or pony up the money for a new one. I've been looking at the high output ones like the Mean Green since I plan to slowly add more electronics, but I don't know if it's overkill to get a HO alternator BEFORE I start adding mods. any opinions/suggestions are appreciated

 

HO

 

If memory serves me...the tow package came with a 130 amp alternator. With lights, winch, I haven't had a want for more.

 

At idle, the 130 is only putting out 60 - 80. Go HO.

 

does anyone have experience with the mean green alternators? I'm curious if since it's a "sealed" unit, if it's that much more resistant to damage due to mud/grime/water, since I'm pretty sure that's what caused my current alternator to fail

 

I would worry more about the heat on a sealed alternator.

Edited: I looked them up. The alternator isn't sealed just the bearings.

I'm not saying they aren't good as I don't know.

 

Sub'd

 

And you have no brains ....

That is insane.

 

That aint a bad price at all!!!

Question is how much more of a load is that on the motor?

Personally never had an issue with my stock HO alternator of my tow package but i dont have much in the way of high draw accessories.

 

Or you could get rebuild kit and rebuild existing alternator and save yourself money.
Otherwise I would go with Denso rebuild or Bosch.

 

Just to add something here. OP it depends on how your alternator died, rebuilding isn't hard. Mine is making the Diode whining noise. I just ordered a Diode board and will rebuild it myself for $40.

https://youtu.be/hmPUUVwIJUU

 

That is actually a silly question, since a load that an alternator places on an engine is proportional to the load placed ON IT. In other words, if the load placed on the alternator is 10 amps, it will put the same load on the motor as the factory alternator under the same load.

Now of course if you put a load of 300 amps on it, then yes it will be putting a bigger load on the motor, but in this instance, your alternative would be to deplete the battery and have the ignition shut down, stranding you.