Alternator blues

[insanebuslady]

I own a 1987 Camry LE, and I have a rather large audio system in it, along with a few other aftermarket add-ons that tax the electrical system. These include H.I.D. fog-lamps, radar detector, equalizer, and a 750 watt subwoofer amp. All of these except the radar detector are connected to the battery, but I continue to persistantly have alternator failures.

It's almost cost me my job twice, and left me stranded other times, but fortunately I have an unlimited replacement plan with my alternator so I get a new one every time my old one fails. Is there any way to stop this from happening? I was told if I connected everything to my battery everything would be fine. If not is there a larger capacity alternator I can buy, and if so, where?

[JetspeedCamry]

Well one would think that if you CONSTANTLY have failures and your drawing THAT much current ... perhaps remove some of the stuff you have in your car....
Either that..or grab a bigger alternator to cope with the higher demands.

Theres no other way to do it. Current is current...and if you draw it from ANY source..your alternator is always going to have to keep up.

[jackfrost1031]

You can ususally have your stock altenator rewound for higher output, and you can probably fit an alt off of another car. I know the Highlander 120a alternator will fit on 1mz engines, you may try to look at something like that.

[insanebuslady]

Well the failure isn't constant although now what is happening is that the battery light comes on at about 3,000 rpm and the headlights become extremely bright.

Do you know where i could buy a larger capacity alternator or is it relatively easy to fit a new one?

[fredk]

it sounds like you are over charging, ya better get that taken care of

[toyboyracer]

Plan c ?

Apart from getting the altrnator rewound to say 165ish amps or the regulator replaced, is your battery the piddly little thing Aussie Camrys use?

Maybe a larger 13/15 plate battery may be of help?

[Tommy]

if ya need a spare...i got one, sell it to ya for $40 shipped.

[toyrolla]

High Output Alternators:

http://mralternator.com/alternators/toyota.html

I would also consider adding a capacitor to your audio system.
You would want one with a capacity of 1 farad.