Amp. ves. Voltage RE: Alternator R&R and upgrades

["Avi Meron" <avi@cosmoslink.net>]

Good information, let me add a few details:

1. The 90Amp with its stock 14.0 reg. WILL not handle normal electrical
demand if you are using the AC and doing a lot of stop and go driving
(summer time)

2. The 90Amp alt. problem was recognized by Audi and the fix was a smaller
(alt.) pulley, helps but not enough

3. The 110 Amp alt. is a bit better than the 90Amp. but not much, it WILL
not handle summer driving with the AC on and a lot of slow driving (summer)

4. The 90Amp alt. Is a BETTER alt. than the 110Amp. the diodes are capable
of handling much more current than the 110Amp. alt.

Suggestion of what to do:

1. It is taken for granted that your electrical system is OK (right?)

2. Remove your alt. (90Amp or 110Amp). and add a 14.8 Voltage reg. Bolts
exactly the same as the OEM 14.0Volt reg. (I have them in stock!)

3. Install a small pulley (make sure you don't have it already)

4. Convert your 90Amp alt. to 120Amp alt. with a 14.8 Voltage reg. "all is
the same" no  new brackets, remove and replace!

5. Install a 110Amp alt (OEM), not a very good idea, the 110Amp. alt. will
give you a bit more Amp. but not MORE voltage, you need BOTH! You also need
new brackets and it is a VERY costly suggestion, Please note the 110Amp alt.
will barely get up to 105Amp (tested it on a bench), max is 100Amp (most of
the time)

6. Install a converted 110Amp. alt. (if you have already one), you will get
up to 150Amp. (may be more if you want) with a 14.8 Voltage reg. and a
completely rebuilt alt. BTW the 110Amp. alt. has a "lousy" diode set so we
have to give you a COMPLETE new set of diodes,

Conclusion:
It is HIGHLY recommended to do a conversion with increasing your amperage
and your voltage, the two "work" together very well,
You can install a 200Amp. alt. with a 14Volt reg. and at idle you will deep
below 12.5Volts.
If you choose the pass of "least" money....you are better off with just a
14.8Voltage reg.

Email me if you have more questions,
Avi













-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net [mailto:owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net]
On Behalf Of QSHIPQ@aol.com
Sent:	Sunday, March 21, 1999 11:28 AM
To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net; audi-20v@lists.emailsol.com
Subject:	RE:  Alternator R&R and upgrades

Those looking for upgrading their alternator output, ck q-list archives
(good
luck) for DeWitt Harrison's posts on this upgrade (.  You will need a
minimum
of a newer style front engine mount and 2 10mm mounting bolts.  Some will
also
need the new lower alternator/ac bracket as well.  Please note too, Mr.
Head,
that new alternators using the Audi PN system are NOT necessarily the
rebuilt
ones.  The rebuilts use Bosch's rebuild exchange numbers.  The 110amp audi
(later 200 style) alternator is the 179X.  The 179X lists at 350bux and is
an
EXCHANGE item (gotta have one to get one).  New is 700+ btw, but no
exchange.

BTW, several have rebuilt the 90 amp units to outperform the 110amp units
(incl. Avi Meron - archives).  Not a bad alternative, however, my experience
is that 9 times out of 10, the alternator capacity really isn't the problem,
so throwing more amps at the system may just help you short term.

Having done several of these conversions, as well as several other
alternator
fixes in the last 6 months, some btdt suggestions.  Go to Scott M's page and
read about the electrical gremlins (specifically the splice at the
firewall).
A good comparo, is voltage at the A/C head vs alternator vs battery (loaded
vs
unloaded)  Check for high voltage draw after shutdown (lots of afterrun
circuits have come up bad for me).  In my opinion, one should avoid the
Sears
Batteries, I've had several cars that had new batteries with dead cells.
The
Autobahn battery is now made by exide, and is really the best baseline IMO
(110USD list price).  Always replace the alternator belt (most are 11.2 X
820mm).  The most common failure of the adjustment bolt teeth is from a
misaligned alt to A/C bracket.  Loosen the 3 bolts (motor, alt arm, A/C
comp)
before adjustment.  This is also a good time to clean the electricals at the
starter too.  All stock Alternator wiring goes to the starter first.

HTH

Scott Justusson
QSHIPQ@aol.com
Chicago, IL
'87 5ktqwRS2
'84 Urq
'87 4Runner turbo