Alternator Upgrade from 105 to a higher ampage?

[phil-h]

I'm having alternator problems with my vec cdti 120 as detailed here:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...nator+cdti+120

It currently has a 105 amp alternator, can I upgrade it to a 120 amp, for example, or will this cause electrical issues and should I just stay with 05?

The reason I ask is that I'm looking to do some electrical mods to the car... rear electric windows, and more specifically, heated seats front and back. The windows I can't being a problem at all, but it's the heated seats, which will draw more juice. Just trying to think ahead, fed up with the electrical issues that seem to be plaguing me at the moment

EDIT: Having read some more on the subject it looks like I can safely upgrade to a 120 amp, just got to find one that won't brak the bank, fit that and use my old one as a spare, seeing as my luck with electrical it44ms on the vec seem to suck at the moment !

[TonyP2020]

A general rule of thumb is fit the biggest battery and alternator that you can afford. so yes.

[Mark-R]

I upgraded my old Vecs 105 to the 150 one or was it the 145 cant remember the amps but i know it was the highest one for my 120 CDTI as they are 3 for it 105/120/150 or 145 lol

[Z80]

Diesels are fitted with 140 A alternators. Definitely would help if intending to upgrade car audio setup with some greedy amplifiers (don't forget to upgrade the battery too !)...

[GazVXLINE170]

My old Vec CDTI150 had an 80A-hr I'm sure, and it was recalled for a 100A-hr one. @tony-1977 had replaced his alternator on his old CDTI with a 120A-hr and claimed to get good results. Remember with an alternator though that upping it's capacity will have potential implications should you not be using that capacity.

[Z80]

A matching battery will be enough then, and it won't harm if you're not using its full capacity after that. But yes, you'd better match at least the battery and the alternator.

[Chunklamb]

A matching battery will be enough then, and it won't harm if you're not using its full capacity after that. But yes, you'd better match at least the battery and the alternator.

What do you mean match the battery and alternator?

[Z80]

More powerful alternator = larger battery !

For a 140 A alternator, a 75 Ah battery would be the absolute minimum, and you can use up to a 95 Ah battery, for instance, if you can manage to fit it !

[Chunklamb]

More powerful alternator = larger battery !

For a 140 A alternator, a 75 Ah battery would be the absolute minimum, and you can use up to a 95 Ah battery, for instance, if you can manage to fit it !

Ah, I see...

[lee gsi]

What a load of rubbish lol.Fit the biggest alternator you can.The battery will only draw what current it needs to recharge.Measure the current draw on a car and you will see that most of the time the battery is drawing less than 40amp's.