High output alternator

[Sinister]

For a few months I have been posting about voltage drop in my car when warm. I have narrowed it down to the alternator losing voltage when warm. This is my third alternator, thinking the otehrs were bad.

Four other local 996TTs of the same year have the same problem, and have even greater voltage loss.

I think that the 150amp alternator that comes with this car isn't enough for said car's power draw (or they are all defective) and I am considering getting a custom 200amp alternator from Ohio Generator (they tear out the guts of the stock alternator and amp it up).

All other cars I have seen, start up at 14.4 volts and settle to around 14.1 My Carrera 2 started at 14 and never dropped below 13.8. My 996TT starts at 13.8 and drops to 12.6-12.8 when in traffic, or 13 when warm and not in traffic.

What are your thoughts?

[Loren]

The parts lists show a 997TT alternator (2nd generation) as the current part number for a 996TT. It that what you have been using?

[Sinister]

Yes, that is the one I currently have. No improvement.

[wvicary]

Are you testing the voltage at the battery or just going by the gauge in the instrument cluster? I would start testing for a weak ground path from the engine to chassis.

[Sinister]

At the alternator, at the cluster and at the battery.

Also losses that much voltage when heated with a blow-dryer and tested on a bench.

Like I said, I have narrowed it down to the alternator being the problem.

Same thing on three other 996TTs.

Just want everyones opinion on getting a 200amp alternator and seeing if anyone else has the problem.