what does PCM controlled alternator mean

[KHRISS]

please explain someone thanks

[Purplehaze]

It means the cars computer controls the voltage.

[teardrop]

not real sure but pcm is the Powertrain Control Module it's your vehicle's computer so the alt woulb be controlled some way by it

[D-train-13k]

the power train control module controls various engine electrical as well as the tranny.

basically anything that has to do with moving the power both electrical and mechanical around in your vehicle

[KHRISS]

so what happens if i add multi 3 amps and my car is PCM controlled?

Edited October 9, 2011 by KHRISS

[D-train-13k]

your engine is going to try and control your alternator to give the vehicle the power it needs to run first. so if you have a large alternator with enough power to distribute everything evenly and fill the engines needs you should be fine.

[KHRISS]

lets say i add a mechman 320 amp high output alt

[D-train-13k]

well you would need to figure out how much amperage your amps will be pulling from your battery.

so if you have plenty of batteries and that alternator then you should be good. you need to have enough amperage to be able to charge your batteries enough to keep up with the demand of you system.

it only takes about 50 amps i believe to run most of the accesories in your vehicle. such as having ac on and lights etc.

so make sure you have enough batteries to run your system. since having an alternator that is large enough to power everything including a large system is going to be difficult and impracticle.

[dblovah51]

If this anything like the 07+ tahoe ull have to add the alt isolated from the stock electrical and ran to the system battery bank

[KHRISS]

lets say 2 yellow top optimas and a 3500 and 1400 rms amps and the mechman 320 amp high output alt would i be fine with that set up and is it bad or good to have PCM controlled altenator?