Mazda2 Alternator Upgrade?

[Medic5]

Hello,

The stock alternator on the 2013 Mazda2 is rated for 90 Amps.
I need to power a 2000 Watt inverter from the vehicle, and was wondering if anyone here might have any advice as to how to go about this? I know the 90 Amp alternator wont work, it's having a hard time keeping up with a 500 Watt one at continuous use. I called the dealer and they said the highest they show available is 90 Amps.

I'm assuming I would need around 140 Amps give or take. The idea is to have one 500 Watt running when the car is running (Which it already does). To power small things such as Wifi and Cell Repeaters, Air compressor, etc. The 2000 Watt would be nice so that I can run other electric tools off of it such as a chainsaw, weed trimmer, etc...

Also, would this be a " Plug & Play " for the alternator or would I need to upgrade any wiring etc...?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[utmorpheus]

I think you're going to have a hell of a time finding a 140amp alternator that will fit in this car. Your best bet would be running a second alternator to a completely separate battery pack, but I guarantee you're going to spend more than you would with a simple portable gasoline generator. Not to mention the wear you're going to cause with the car sitting idle and having to dissipate the heat from having the engine running.

 

[flatlander937]

I'd look at finding an alternator rebuilding place to have them rewind it for more amperage. May not get 140 but it would certainly be the easiest.

Instead of running electric tools why not get a GOOD air compressor and tank to run stuff? Or if you can deal with no A/C convert it into an air compressor(it works SUPER fast).

 

[Medic5]

I'd look at finding an alternator rebuilding place to have them rewind it for more amperage. May not get 140 but it would certainly be the easiest.

Instead of running electric tools why not get a GOOD air compressor and tank to run stuff? Or if you can deal with no A/C convert it into an air compressor(it works SUPER fast).

I actually already have an air compressor in the vehicle. I use it for Pneumatic tools and such.

I'm looking more to use it as emergency power in disasters and to power electric tools such as a chainsaw. I may end up just pulling the backseat out and making room for a small generator. Because I did the math, I would need a 300+ Amp alternator to power 2000 Watts. And at almost 800$ for that (IF I can even retrofit one in the angine compt), It would be cheaper to buy a mini generator.

Thanks utmorpheus too for the quick suggestion!

 

[utmorpheus]

Hell yeah, Harbor Freight has a 4000w peak/3200w constant generator for like $350. I was drooling over it the last time power went out during a snowstorm.

 

[flatlander937]

I actually already have an air compressor in the vehicle. I use it for Pneumatic tools and such.

I'm looking more to use it as emergency power in disasters and to power electric tools such as a chainsaw. I may end up just pulling the backseat out and making room for a small generator. Because I did the math, I would need a 300+ Amp alternator to power 2000 Watts. And at almost 800$ for that (IF I can even retrofit one in the angine compt), It would be cheaper to buy a mini generator.

Thanks utmorpheus too for the quick suggestion!

No no... like this:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/818352-dyi-york-starter.html

FWIW I would never use an electric chainsaw, I have a Jeep friend who has a compact Stihl chainsaw that he has a pretty nice mount for it(it's like the "scabbard" mount in post #15 here):

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/1571385-chainsaw-mount-pics.html



Also I know you already came to the conclusion that a bigger alternator wouldn't work, but also keep in mind the 90A rating(or any rating you find) will not be at idle, it won't reach peak charging capacity until about 2500-3000rpms in most cases. When winching with a 4x4 or whatever, it helps to add what's called a "thumb throttle" which is a little rotating dial attached to a cable that runs to the throttle body(with electronic throttle you might have to rig it up to the pedal itself... or hell maybe add wires to the ECM and have those pins programmed to take a 12v input to raise the idle when an added button is pressed(this may not be possible, Dynotronics would be the one to ask). Anyway the thumb throttle has enough resistance that why you move it, it stays in place, therefore holding the idle higher for keeping up with the winch's high electrical draw. Even still most winches draw 300+ amps under full load, you need to give them a break occasionally or else you will kill the battery in mid-pull if it's real badly stressed.


I hate to keep giving you offroad/Jeep related links, but frankly they're probably more relevant than anything Mazda2 you'll find... but here is a really cool site with tons of info, this guy goes into Johnson Valley for days at a time wheeling so you need to be prepared for just about anything... poke around in the misc, electrical, and recovery sections. He's a real big Ham Radio fan too so some of that might come in handy:

http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc.asp


If you ever happen to be in the Dayton, OH area shoot me a PM, I'd love to see that 2 in person (yes)

 

[Medic5]

No no... like this:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/818352-dyi-york-starter.html

FWIW I would never use an electric chainsaw, I have a Jeep friend who has a compact Stihl chainsaw that he has a pretty nice mount for it(it's like the "scabbard" mount in post #15 here):

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/1571385-chainsaw-mount-pics.html



Also I know you already came to the conclusion that a bigger alternator wouldn't work, but also keep in mind the 90A rating(or any rating you find) will not be at idle, it won't reach peak charging capacity until about 2500-3000rpms in most cases. When winching with a 4x4 or whatever, it helps to add what's called a "thumb throttle" which is a little rotating dial attached to a cable that runs to the throttle body(with electronic throttle you might have to rig it up to the pedal itself... or hell maybe add wires to the ECM and have those pins programmed to take a 12v input to raise the idle when an added button is pressed(this may not be possible, Dynotronics would be the one to ask). Anyway the thumb throttle has enough resistance that why you move it, it stays in place, therefore holding the idle higher for keeping up with the winch's high electrical draw. Even still most winches draw 300+ amps under full load, you need to give them a break occasionally or else you will kill the battery in mid-pull if it's real badly stressed.


I hate to keep giving you offroad/Jeep related links, but frankly they're probably more relevant than anything Mazda2 you'll find... but here is a really cool site with tons of info, this guy goes into Johnson Valley for days at a time wheeling so you need to be prepared for just about anything... poke around in the misc, electrical, and recovery sections. He's a real big Ham Radio fan too so some of that might come in handy:

http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc.asp


If you ever happen to be in the Dayton, OH area shoot me a PM, I'd love to see that 2 in person (yes)

No, I'll never turn down free advice. You guys are the "experts" here, not me. I've decided to go with a 3500 Watt generator, and I'll just take the rear seats out of the Mazda2. Will give me more room for rescue tools anyways. It won't be a 2-Seat Lambo, but if there's a tree in the roadway, it's not gonna stop me!

I've never owned a generator before, but I keep reading things about having to drive a ground rod into the ground to ground the generator...? Not sure how that would work in a vehicle? Also I'll have to run the generator exhaust outside of the car, as well as figure out if it can handle the summer heat at 150 degrees+ without exploding. That would be counter-productive ( http://www.sears.com/champion-power-equipment-46597-3500-4000-watt-portable-gas/p-07129420000P?prdNo=12 )

Dayton isn't terribly far. I have a friend in Grove City I might visit eventually, Ill definitely let you see it, it's really quite unique.