170 Amp Anternator Install - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

91 Camry · 03-31-2010, 11:42 AM

Bear with me everyone. I'm tired of the stock, undersized 70 amp alternator that's trying to keep up with the stock as well as non-stock accessories on my 1991 Camry. I purchased a 170 amp Powermaster unit from Summit Racing. According to Powermaster, I should bump the size of the charging wire up to 6 gauge. The existing charging wire (color: white) goes into a harness. From there, I cannot find it coming out anywhere.

My question is, where does the wire go to? The battery? To a relay? Any guidance would be appreciated.

joeykrim · 03-31-2010, 11:56 AM

i don't remember exactly where the white charging wire runs, i think it goes into the fuse box in the engine? i'm sure the online manuals with the wiring diagrams will show or somebody else might know exactly.

after going through 3 high output alternators, i finally have one which works great. I ran 0 gauge wire directly from the top mount on the alternator across to the front battery and 0 gauge wire from the front battery to the two batteries in the trunk. ran the alternator to front battery 0 gauge wire along the strut tower bar with zip ties. 0 gauge wire is connected to the alternator on the top output using a nice gold 24k ring terminal!

white90dx · 03-31-2010, 07:25 PM

The main large white wire to the top of the alternator goes through the harness to the 80A alternator fusible link that is connected to the battery positive terminal.

It is up to you if you want to redesign the charging system wiring from there.

-Charlie

91 Camry · 03-31-2010, 07:40 PM

Charlie,

I'm guessing if I use the 170 amp alternator, I need to change that 80 amp fuse as well?

white90dx · 03-31-2010, 07:48 PM

You will probably want to bypass the factory main charge wire completely and put in 4-gauge wire with appropriate fuse wired directly to the battery terminal.

-Charlie

joeykrim · 03-31-2010, 08:35 PM

dont remember where all the fuses are ive put in, but i added a ton of larger fuses along all the segments of the wires....think i used 300 amp fuses and 150 amp fuses...

***heartdisease*** · 03-31-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeykrim

dont remember where all the fuses are ive put in, but i added a ton of larger fuses along all the segments of the wires....think i used 300 amp fuses and 150 amp fuses...

Wow sounds like you have one heck of a stereo. Or maybe you have a microwave or something, whatever. I know they can put a second alternator on cars I have seen more than one. Would that be easier than screwing with the factory harness?

joeykrim · 04-01-2010, 08:00 AM

not sure id want to give up the horsepower it would require to spin two alternators...the one seems to do alright with plenty of battery power.
with the new digital amplifiers coming out, they are getting MUCH better at being efficient in their power usage.

***heartdisease*** · 04-01-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeykrim

not sure id want to give up the horsepower it would require to spin two alternators...the one seems to do alright with plenty of battery power.
with the new digital amplifiers coming out, they are getting MUCH better at being efficient in their power usage.

I was going to suggest digital amps but I figured you had a lot invested already by the sound of things

I went all Alpine digital with my build in my new Camry and am happy with them.

joeykrim · 04-01-2010, 10:12 AM

did you have to change the alternator? or you still running stock alternator? how many amps is it?

alpine has had digital amps for a while now. im waiting for jl audio to release a digital amp comparable to their 1000/1, which i have 2 of...jl audio has 750RMS digital amp which looks nice but not enough.

***heartdisease*** · 04-01-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeykrim

did you have to change the alternator? or you still running stock alternator? how many amps is it?

alpine has had digital amps for a while now. im waiting for jl audio to release a digital amp comparable to their 1000/1, which i have 2 of...jl audio has 750RMS digital amp which looks nice but not enough.

It is just a stock 2009 camry, prob a 100 amp.
I just have a pdx5 and a pdx2. Doesn't pull that much. I have an hx650 also, the imageing is awesome

joeykrim · 04-01-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91 Camry

Bear with me everyone. I'm tired of the stock, undersized 70 amp alternator that's trying to keep up with the stock as well as non-stock accessories on my 1991 Camry. I purchased a 170 amp Powermaster unit from Summit Racing. According to Powermaster, I should bump the size of the charging wire up to 6 gauge. The existing charging wire (color: white) goes into a harness. From there, I cannot find it coming out anywhere.

My question is, where does the wire go to? The battery? To a relay? Any guidance would be appreciated.

out of curiosity, i have a few questions on the alternator they sold you.
the correct terminology is slipping my mind at the moment, but how many grooves does the pulley on the alternator have? what size is the pulley? is the whole alternator the exact same size as the stock alternator? they use the same housing and fix up the internals?

i want to say mine has one extra groove which the belt doesnt use...and they used a much bigger housing, but it fits just fine.