More Powerful Alternator?

[Pablo]

Guys,

What is a sensible alternator to upgrade to that will have more power than the standard one fitted to the Dynamique range?

Does fitting a more powerful one have any sideaffects?
Does it use more fuel and drain battery power for fun etc?

I wanna tackle the issue of my Xenon's + interior lighting dimming whenever the electrics are used, if it's realistically possible? Hope so!

Thanks,

Pete.

 

[Beef-Mc]

Now i may have the wrong idea, but could you not fit a power cap?

 

[Mark One]

Now i may have the wrong idea, but could you not fit a power cap?

I was under the impression they were fitted to smooth the power consumption of amps. As amps drain power on the bass beat. Something like extra power consumed by xenons is just constant drain, so a cap isnt right.

Not convinced that xenons do drain more power.
How old is your battery? Topped up with water?

 

[ditz]

power caps do sod all.

thats basically all a battery is -

think of it this way.. the main source of power when the cars running is the alternator.. all the battery does is store some of this power produced by the alternator and stores it for when it needs it ie to iron out voltage spikes or start the car.
thats all power caps claim to do - so basically all you are doing is fitting a very small useless battery to a system that already has a superior battery.

yes you can get higher ampage alternators but it may be hard to source one

 

[ditz]

and no xenons dont take more current.
renault would have fitted heavier cabling to the headlights if they did.
they actually use less current.

 

[Beef-Mc]

Just a guess, I know sod all about electrical stuff and the such like lol.

 

[caister]

Just sounds like your alternator/ battery is on its way out to me.

 

[cat171]

+1

 

[Pablo]

Tbh it's only cause i've got an aftermarket audio system.
When demanding the volume's cranked up, it does the above That's the sole reason really.

From reading other threads, a power cap isn't the answer as i understand it?

What other alternators can I go for that can cope with a powerful headunit + amp etc?

 

[cat171]

Get an uprated battery first & see if that sorts it, if not then look at getting an uprated alternator.

 

[mattjk]

Get the voltmeter out and do some testing its the easiest way.

 

[stu-172]

Would a Diesel Clio alternator fit? Diesel 1's are normally more powerful!

 

[caister]

I would go for a new battery first. Most people on here have uprated stereos without see the fault your describing.

 

[Bloooor]

Get one of these flower....

http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/cgi-bin/megastore/commerce.cgi?page=Batteries_Caravan.html

 

[Black-Clio-1.4]

I have standard alternator. But upgraded battery. Runs everything fine.

You will never need a power cap, they are advertised as the answer. But they can also cause more problems!

If you still get drops in your headlights with an upgraded battery, get a new alternator.