Upgrading the alternator

[Mark Holden]

In looking at alternative alternators to provide more power (mostly
for the 780W (65A at 12V) of rally lights I'll be mounting), I considered
the B15 alternator (100A) or a custom-wound after-market unit.

I decided again them because the B15 unit would still be pretty
marginal for my needs, and I wanted to be able to source replacements
"off the shelf" in the case of a failure.

Looking at the 95-97 Maxima, the car used a Hitachi alternator rated
at 125A, with most of the dimensions being identical.  It appears that
it will require a new plug, and the 63mm diameter pulley should
probably be swapped to the stock 70mm size (so as not to overdrive the
unit especially with the higher revving SR20 spinning it), but the
pulley shaft is the same size between the two units so it should be
straightforward.

Other concerns are that the adjuster bolt location is a little farther
rotated than the stock unit, and so the adjustment range might not be
as large.  We'll see how that plays out.  I have the A/C deleted, so
currently I'm adjusted all the way in.  It might make things better!

Anyhow, I got a brand new (not reman) alternator today, fitted for a
95-97 Maxima, and it comes with test results showing that this
particular unit benched at 158A under full load (woo!).

Off on my way to raid a junkyard for a 95 Max alternator plug now.  I
plan on putting a quick connector between it and the car's harness, so
that the old plug can be swapped in with a stock alternator quickly in
a pinch.

  I'll let people know how this works out.  Might be a long time
before I get past the fitment issues to really try it out though,
since the car is headed for major bodywork and hopefully a full roll
cage before it makes it's re-debut.

I'll also be looking at building a splash/heat guard for it to try and
prolong it's life (my current one probably died from water, but it
also could have been the heat of the unshielded header right next to
it).

-- 
Mark Holden
mark at mnautosport.com