Does anyone have any experience with aftermarket alternators that use a beefed up external voltage regulator? If so, where did you purchase?
Let me explain my problem a bit...
Vehicle: 1995 Pontiac Grand Am GT, 2.3L "Quad 4" (Vin "D" RPO LD2)
Alternator: OEM Delco CS130, 3-wire (non-self-exciting)
I have modified a supercharger kit, originally meant for a different vehicle application (2000-2001 Chev Cavalier Z24, Pont Sunfire GT, Grand Am, Alero, with the 2.4L "Twin Cam" LD9) to work on my engine. The scope of that project is well beyond this thread, but in summary, the snout of the blower occupies the same space the output bolt of the alternator normal would.
For reference, here is the exploded view of the CS130 alternator:
http://www.alternatorparts.com/Exploded%20Views/DR-CS130.jpg
"46-1167" is the output bolt in my way.
My original solution - I disassembled my CS130, cut a pie wedge chunk from the housing, used a shorter bolt to attach a metal bar, in which the charging cable could be mounted to out of the way.
Picture of that setup.
That setup worked for 4-5 months. The alternator then failed, due to either:
1. My haste in reassembly... causing me to overlook what parts need be non-conductive in that rectifier/regulator/output bolt sandwich.
2. Bad luck + summer heat
To repair, I purchased a new CS130, swapped my pie-wedge housing onto it, and used the same setup. My only addition was a nylon nut between that output "bar" and the shorter bolt, to act as both a spacer and insulator.
Now, 3 years later, I am once again having trouble with it. I was getting intermittent output, as the output "bar" became loose. Upon disassembly, I found that the nylon nut deformed very slowly over time, allowing the bolt/nut/bar to slide around. While I could simply tear the alternator apart again to replace the nylon nut, I don't want to deal with this anymore. I need a bulletproof solution.
I see plenty of custom CS130 setups available, although most of these are the "iceberg" version with cooling fins near the output bolt. That's no good - they would be in the way too. I don't need a massive high output capacity either... the original 105 amps is fine. What I really need is either:
1. CS130 alternator with relocated output bolt (which I doubt I'll find due to how the output bolt attaches inside)
2. CS130 alternator with external voltage regulator, as this will remove the output bolt from the alternator completely.
Anyone have any suggestions? Or at least contact info for a shop that can work with me to make a custom alternator?