Alternator question.

[HO455]

I remember reading somewhere here (Just after I installed a new CS130) that one should avoid using CS130 alternator due to reliability issues. I believe that the CS144 (?) was recommended as the more robust alternator.

I however have not been able to locate any posts on this subject. Is there a consensus on what might be a better choice? I will need to use the factory V-belt drive.

This recently has become important as the SC130 I installed in July of 2019 (23k miles ago) ago is starting to act up. Sometimes it charges at 14 volts other times at 12 volts. It seems to decide what voltage it wants before starting and holds that voltage until you shut the engine off.

I have never seen it change its voltage point once the engine is running. All in all quite odd.

If I am going to change horses now would seem to be the time.

Thanks in advance.

[RichardJ]

My experience with my C4 Vette was that the CS couldn't handle the heat.
The DN and SI alternator had a single fan. The CS130 has a external and an internal fan, but still not good enough. The CS144 has two internal fans and the housing is more open with better ventilation.

My DN10 has 60A with External voltage regulator and is far more reliable than any SI or CS. Most DN10 alternators sold today have 55 or more Amps.

I notice some years back, many of the imports had a Alternator with the voltage regulator attached to the outside for better cooling.
Chrysler has the voltage regulator incorporated into a powertrain module on at least some applications. IE, it's like the old DN with EX regulator.

[MARKDTN]

I would not use a CS130 as a paperweight. The CS144 is a much more robust, reliable piece. The wiring is the same between the 2. Just be sure you have sufficiently large wire from alternator to battery for the amperage you choose. You can put a V-belt pulley on a CS144. Although on my '83 (long water pump) I used late '80s MonteCarlo crank pulley and water pump pulley. It allowed me to keep stock A/C and P/S v-belts but put a rib belt for the alternator.