Alternator Can't Handle The Power?

[samthornton1990 23]

Yo,

 

I'm unsure whether my alternators on it's way out or I have to high wattage bulbs in my headlights.

 

I'm running 90/130watt bulbs and they are flickering as I'm driving, Just wondering if the alternator is up for the job.....

 

It's going to be running lamps with 130w bulbs soon too so do I go for a bigger alternator?

 

I'm assuming I can get an alternator off a xud or the GTI6 engine?

[welshpug 1,666]

sounds likely to be a poor connection, either earth or live, or as you say a tired alternator.

 

have you upgraded the headlamp circuit? you'll melt the 20+ year old standard wiring with bulbs like those.

[samthornton1990 23]

Yeah it's a seperate loom... alternator into relays

 

Whats the best alternator? Xud?

Edited March 11, 2012 by samthornton1990

[welshpug 1,666]

one that isn't knackered

 

several different ones will fit, but its not as simple as saying an XUD one will fit, many of those are lower ampage than the gti unit.

[samthornton1990 23]

Oh i just assumed being a diesel it'd have the most power. I think i have a d turbo and a 1.9 one kicking about. which one has the most power out of all the Xus?

[welshpug 1,666]

look at the sticker.

 

I think the most powerful one I have seen would have been an auto aircon +electric leather seat equipped 406, but I don't think that one would have fitted.

[samthornton1990 23]

Fair doose. I'll sling the xud one i have at home on.... never had a problem when i had the bulbs in my d turbo

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

306 ones do the job fine, Most S16's etc had 90 amp ones, only thing is a larger pulley but it makes no differance

[samthornton1990 23]

cheers pal

[petert 601]

Just because you have 130W globes doesn't mean you need a big alternator. It's just more mass to carry around. Do the maths - 20amp for the headlights, 5 amps for the other lights, 6 amps for the fuel pump & ignition, 2 amps for the ECU, another 2-3 for the radio-cassette player, etc. A 55A alternator is more than enough.

 

The easy way to test is turn EVERYTHING on flat out in the driveway, fast idle, then verify with a multimeter that you still have 13.8V at the battery.

Edited March 12, 2012 by petert

[samthornton1990 23]

Well they were fine until I swapped the to the higher wattage bulbs..... And I've read a few threads on other forums that suggest that it can cause problems

[matt.f 16]

130w not allowed for road rallies anyway mate.Nothing wrong with Philips extreme vision/Osram nightbraker imo

[engine killer 6]

iirc the 405Mi alternator is a simple swap and providing higher amp.