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08-28-2009, 10:45 AM #1Jr. Mechanic
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Bigger alternator needed for towing?
I plan on doing some towing in the near future with a trailer that has electric brakes. I do not have the brake control module yet, but want to know if a bigger alternator is needed. Thanks guys.
Cheers from NJ'00 1500 4x4 4.8l
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08-28-2009, 11:46 AM #2Legend
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i dont think you need a bigger alternator.
2004 4.8| Custom Paint| Tint| De-badged| Shaved Tailgate| Rollpan| Smoked Tails| Color Matched| Lowered 5/8| Suede Interior| Color Matched Interior| Indash & TVs| Mids-Lows & 2 12" CVRs| 500 & 1100 Interfires| Soundeadener| Outlaw CAI| Magnaflow|
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08-28-2009, 12:42 PM #3
You don't. Trailer brakes may pull 10 amps, if that. They should only have somewhere between 12 and 14 gauge wire running to them. The alternator isn't majorly oversized for the vehicle, but it can handle small extra loads like trailer brakes with no issues.
Christopher
1991 Chevy Suburban 1/2 ton 2WD w/ chevy SBC 350-3/4 ton drivetrain upgrade w/4.10 gears 194K miles
2005 Saturn ION-2 Stock 200K miles (In 6 years...ouch)
1982 Bronco, 1993 Bronco, 1971 M35A2 Deuce and a Half
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08-28-2009, 04:33 PM #4Jr. Apprentice
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No. you will not need to upgrade the alt.
dbach
2003 Chevy HD 1500LS
6.0 L V8
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08-29-2009, 03:52 PM #5Jr. Mechanic
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good to know, i looked at the rpo codes and it turns out my truck has a 105 amp output alternator
Thanks guys'00 1500 4x4 4.8l
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08-29-2009, 06:42 PM #6Legend
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nos whey what did you use to look up the rpo codes.
2004 4.8| Custom Paint| Tint| De-badged| Shaved Tailgate| Rollpan| Smoked Tails| Color Matched| Lowered 5/8| Suede Interior| Color Matched Interior| Indash & TVs| Mids-Lows & 2 12" CVRs| 500 & 1100 Interfires| Soundeadener| Outlaw CAI| Magnaflow|
Future Mods: 6.0 LQ4/9| Bags|
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08-31-2009, 04:22 PM #7Jr. Mechanic
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hey bud, i dont remember the exact website, but i googled 2000 chevy rpo codes and i clicked on a link thaat took me to a forum, (i think it was full size chevy.com) i clicked on a link from the forum and it brought me to a site that had all the codes.
http://www.c2e.info/rpocodes/
http://www.blazerforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1989
the second link takes you to a forum for chevy blazers, if you scroll down you will see a link posted by the user name swartlkk. click on it.
hope this helps bud'00 1500 4x4 4.8l
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08-31-2009, 04:28 PM #8Legend
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alright thanks man.
2004 4.8| Custom Paint| Tint| De-badged| Shaved Tailgate| Rollpan| Smoked Tails| Color Matched| Lowered 5/8| Suede Interior| Color Matched Interior| Indash & TVs| Mids-Lows & 2 12" CVRs| 500 & 1100 Interfires| Soundeadener| Outlaw CAI| Magnaflow|
Future Mods: 6.0 LQ4/9| Bags|
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08-31-2009, 11:40 PM #9Legend
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It depends to some degree on what you are towing. If you are towing a trailer with many running lights, or will be charging a big bank of batteries, like if you are dry camping, you might need to upgrade.
But for the electric brakes, no upgrade necessary. While the elec brakes can draw 10-30 amps (depending on number of axles) this is a short term draw. The battery will support this even if the total amp draw exceeds the capacity of the alternator momentarily. Then the alternator will recharge the battery if needed.
As for controllers, the P3 is the best, followed by the Prodigy.When you hear hoofbeats, look for horses not zebras.
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05-05-2011, 05:16 PM #10Jr. Engineer
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Originally Posted by dbach
Not necessarily. If it is just for the electric brakes than that stock alternator should be sufficient.Dave V. -- Riverside, California
Owner of --
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8Liter V8 engine 2WD w/Kenwood Double DIN CD/DVD Player
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle 350ci V8 engine with 500+ horsepower (Still Under Construction)
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