1997 Nissan Maxima 125Amp or 110Amp Alternator?

[bassmann]

Hi, What is the difference between 125 amp and 110 amp? What one is recommended for install? Please help if you can thanks. Bass

[DennisMik]

The 110 amp alternator is the standard one. Unless you have added a lot of electrical things to your car, you won't gain anything by putting in a 125 amp unit. I take that back... you will gain a lighter, emptier wallet that will be much easier to carry. lol

[Br0nz]

yea, 110 is actually quite large. i can run everything electrical heated seat rear defog/side radio over-wattage head lights etc no dip down at idle (well ground kit helps) plus a 125w ac in the cig lighter spot, wipers... lol i think that's all im rambling.


whats the price difference, i wonder if the alt is more efficient/ lasts longer under a lower % of load. anyone know?

[ajm8127]

Originally Posted by Br0nz

whats the price difference, i wonder if the alt is more efficient/ lasts longer under a lower % of load. anyone know?

If the 110 amp was operating at the upper end of the designed current range, then the 125 would last longer.

[Remminator]

I recommend the 125, especially if you are running any after market amps. Extra amperage ability is worth it, just in case your car ever needs it.

[cashoit]

if u running a lot of power in yur car then get the 125

[Br0nz]

Originally Posted by ajm8127

If the 110 amp was operating at the upper end of the designed current range, then the 125 would last longer.

yea, true.

i guess i was wondering what % of load we are typically using.

[DennisMik]

Originally Posted by ajm8127

If the 110 amp was operating at the upper end of the designed current range, then the 125 would last longer.

That's definitely the challenge to research. Problem is that very few people have 125 amp ammeters. I don't know of any other way.

[Br0nz]

Originally Posted by DennisMik

That's definitely the challenge to research. Problem is that very few people have 125 amp ammeters. I don't know of any other way.

i doubt it is worth it, in most cases original alt will last 10+ years. i can't imagine working at a high load could cause premature failures or we would see this more often on the forums, also would a 125 most likely cause more drag and as a consequence use more fuel?

[DennisMik]

Originally Posted by Br0nz

i doubt it is worth it, in most cases original alt will last 10+ years. i can't imagine working at a high load could cause premature failures or we would see this more often on the forums, also would a 125 most likely cause more drag and as a consequence use more fuel?

The drag that the alternator creates is variable, based on the amperage output. The voltage regulator senses demand and changes the amperage output to meet that demand. The drag of the 110 amp alternator and the 125 amp alternator at say 80 amps would be the same.

[vw3819]

Originally Posted by bassmann

Hi, What is the difference between 125 amp and 110 amp? What one is recommended for install? Please help if you can thanks.

Bass

Hello, i don't know if this will help, but I replaced my alt last week and bought the 125 amp first. I had to return it because it didn't fit correctly. It fit in the hole, but it would slide back and forth on the alternator bolt. When I took it back to autozone where i bought it, i set it next to the 110 amp and sure enough, although everything appeared identical, the 110 amp has a different housing than the 125 amp. Its very slight. The two "ears" that the main alt bolt runs through are spaced differently on the differently rated alts. My car is a 97 se cali-spec exhaust 5speed and calls for a 110 amp. Hope that helps, it would have saved me a lot of time to not install the alternator twice.......... apparently, there IS a difference between cali-emission alts and federal alts.

[bassmann]

Originally Posted by vw3819

Hello, i don't know if this will help, but I replaced my alt last week and bought the 125 amp first. I had to return it because it didn't fit correctly. It fit in the hole, but it would slide back and forth on the alternator bolt. When I took it back to autozone where i bought it, i set it next to the 110 amp and sure enough, although everything appeared identical, the 110 amp has a different housing than the 125 amp. Its very slight. The two "ears" that the main alt bolt runs through are spaced differently on the differently rated alts. My car is a 97 se cali-spec exhaust 5speed and calls for a 110 amp. Hope that helps, it would have saved me a lot of time to not install the alternator twice.......... apparently, there IS a difference between cali-emission alts and federal alts.

Thanks ,men. I bought the 110amp. Removed the old one man it was tuff. I hope installing the new one will be easier.

Bass

[Cielo]

i did an alternator swap to my 240 using the quest alternator. i found out its not really a good idea if you have no need to do it. overcharging the battery shortenned my optima life alot. i only had it maybe 3 years and it started to hold worse charges.

[skullccut&sew]

yea if you plan to add a powerful stereo system then go with the 125 if not go with the standard