----- Original Message -----
From: "Stan Wilder" <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 9:58 PM
Subject: Re: alternator alternate

> You can just go to a local rebuilder and buy a 90 amp alternator.
> I'd shy away from people selling bulk rebuilt like Pep Boys, Chief Auto
> and you know your local others.
> I've been running my 65 amp alternator for seven years and I just don't
> see much point in having amps that you never need. With everything on the
> van turned on, headlights, driving lights, radio, halogen sink light,
> blower motor on oil the cooler, blower motor on the heater it never drops
> below 12v and normally runs at 14 / 15 volts.
>
> Stan Wilder
> 83 Westfalia Air Cooled

Stan,
Just turning on the fridge will drop the voltage to 12.5v on my Westy, I had
the alternator bench tested and it put out 120 amps with no problem. We went
on a 1000 mi. trip on a hot July and had the fridge, front blower, a/c
blower (just for air circulation, no freon), and rear heater fan (for the
dogs, no heat), all on high, for most of the trip, I don't think a 65 amp
alternator could have handled it. I have a spare 90 amp that I rebuilt
myself.

I did put an Auto Zone rebuild in my "Junkaru", it's not worth putting
anything more expensive in it.

Andrew
1984 Westy "Speed Bump"
1996 VW Jetta Trek  "Little Beep" (the wife's car)