Alt questions

[Clownrock95]

im considering getting a alt for my 04 trailblazer 4.2 but i have a few questions

1.from what i understand its bolt on plug and play correct?

2.can i swap the pulley to the factory size one on the alt i have so i can keep my belt i just bought not to long ago (and payed extra for a 3 year warranty)

3. assuming i bought a new quality belt (gatorbelts seem to be highly regarded) is it of high likely-hood that i will be changing belts at every oil change (or rather is what is being discussed here a rare or common event)

4.is there a noticeable lost/lag of power

extra notes

-this is a daily driver and will not usualy have a high demand

-the extra power isn't just for audio it is also for a inverter and off-road lights

-i was told my alt is getting tired so i will likely have to replace it "in 6 to 12 months"

any help is appreciated

(I posted this under the mechman area and I'm assuming no one saw it so I'm reposting it here for some more exposure mods feel free to delete the other post)

EDIT:forgot about the linkshttp://www.mechman.com/alternators/gmc/envoy/4-2l/2002-2006/g-series-240a-alt-for-t-mount-gm-4-2-4-pin-regulator/

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/199308-how-often-should-you-change-a-serpinite-belt/

[Bayuk89]

All those questions should be asked to the manufacture ur buying from. As far as changing belts every oil change i highly doubt that ur gonna have that issue. Sorrry but i have no further info for you.

[n8ball2013]

In most cases it's plug and play not always the case

Swapping pulleys defeats part of the purpose of a new alt. Don't do t.

This is bs you don't have to do this. Unless something is very wrong

Alts don't get tired. They work or they don't it's electronic and mechanical not a person

There isn't really a loss of power unless under heavy load. In my truck if I'm getting on it I can feel t but that's a bit different.

[ShadeTreeMechanic]

If the alt comes with a smaller pulley then the factory pulley won't be able to spin it fast enough at idle and it won't charge unless above a certain rpm. Usually an alt getting tired is a sign that the rectifier is loosing its legs.

[Clownrock95]

In most cases it's plug and play not always the case

Swapping pulleys defeats part of the purpose of a new alt. Don't do t.

This is bs you don't have to do this. Unless something is very wrong

Alts don't get tired. They work or they don't it's electronic and mechanical not a person

There isn't really a loss of power unless under heavy load. In my truck if I'm getting on it I can feel t but that's a bit different.

Not sure sure how I didn't see this response before as I remember the others

1.OK thanks

2.I thought so but wansnt sure

3.OK that's reassuring

4.tired as in going bad/not working as well as it should (and after doing some thinking it was the dealer I bought it from that said that and turns out they arnt exactly the most trustworth)

5.didn't think so but wanted to make sure

Haven't researched yet but does anyone know of a place/way to test alts?

[andru]

according to my car i actually get 0.3 mgp better mileage since replacing the oem alt with HO but that's something to ask the mfr

[Bump4life]

Any alternator manufacturer that knows what they are doing can direct you in the proper way to get a good alternator. If you want to retain the OEM pulley size that is possible. But the alt must be designed around those parameters. Too many alternator companies ONLY rewind the stator to give you a higher output but have to throw on a super small pulley to make up for their lack in design. 99% of alternator manufacturers do not touch the rotor windings which leads to poor idle output.

If you want to retain your OEM pulley, I personally can make an alt that will be high output and still idle well with your oem pulley. dc power and US Alternators will make it how you want it. Dont fall victim to settling for sub par performance cause everyone says you need to have a small pulley.

Your car is pretty simple to build for in a slot wound case. everything should be bolt on plug and play for your car.

Alternators can get "tired", they could lose a phase or have blown a few diodes and still be functioning. but if thats the case more than likely your battery light on dash would be on very faint. and also you'd notice the decrease in performance.

On your engine you wont notice power loss unless you put on an alternator that does over a true 250A.

[Bump4life]

according to my car i actually get 0.3 mgp better mileage since replacing the oem alt with HO but that's something to ask the mfr

depending on what style alternaotr you put on, this is very possible. Hairpin alternators are much more efficient due to less losses to heat thus I have also noticed increase in gas milage with hairpin alternators.