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Electrical issue with alternator?

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Old 06-02-2011, 04:22 PM
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Question Electrical issue with alternator?

Hey all
Need some advice...again. Try to follow me on this, it might get convoluted. I've got a 1000 watt stereo system in my '96 ZJ. I have a 1 farad capacitor for the subs and amps. About a month or so ago, I noticed that the battery gauge needle started to dip below the normal 13.5-14 volt level. Even while I'm driving, I'll notice the needle fluctuating. The battery is barely 1 month old and the alternator is just over a year old. I bought it from Autozone, I think it was a re-manufactured one. The last few times I drove, I drove without the stereo playing with the idea that the alternator will charge the battery better. Well, today I went to Autozone to price some other stuff and checked the display on the capacitor while it was running...it should read 14.1-14.4 with the engine running. Today it read 13.6-13.7. I was thinking and it was suggested that I put a 120 amp alternator in in place of the stock 90 amp. The 120 amp from a V8 Jeep will fit but someone mentioned that it will send a funky signal to the pcm and it could cause me problems. Any idea's or input on this would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Old 06-02-2011, 04:45 PM
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your computer controls the amount of chargeing not the alt a bigger alt sholud not affect the ecm if theres a bigger amp alt sold for it it will work
Old 06-02-2011, 04:52 PM
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As long as you're above 13.5 volts you'll be fine. If you're reading this voltage at the cap in the back of the Jeep, you have to figure in a slight voltage drop between the battary and cap. Your charging system is doing very well.
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