what type of alternators are you guys running in your BB engines because when i run the stereo system , headlights, and defroster to clear up the windshield, the alternator lights up a little bit and when i turn off the defroster it goes away.

does that mean i reached the ultimate limit of the alternator thus needing to buy a more powerful one or that the alternator is going bad ??

i just buy the cheapy ones at o'reilys they are like 35 bucks rem. alt. i run my head lights heater and 200 watt stereo and dont seem to have a problem...when the bass hits though it pulls the volt gauge down alittle but i dont worry about it.......maybe a slightly higher rated alt. might cure the "problem".........

5 words...powermaster 140 amp high output, they are great and work well even with 2-1200watt amps and subs, 200watt 3ways, headlights, electric fans, waterpump, fuel pump...and yes, subs and radion are in track car...i like my creature comforts...plus only adds 200lbs graemlins/thumbsup.gif and i got rid of the whole metal front clip in favor of fiberglass...now i can have my radio...and by the way, i have open headers on the beast and the radio has to be way up and hittin hard to hear...lights do not dim when they hit and gauge does not move below 14.5 volts. but think bout the expense...it was worth it in my opinion...but maybe not in yours...so it is at you discretion!

If you want to keep it stock and don't need 140a. Convert to internally regulated and get a 94 amp alt. from a 85 GM 1 ton p/u with 454. You may need to rotate the housing to get everything to line up but that's it. You can look on the electrical board for the conversion stuff. It's real easy.

I have a chrome one-wrie alternator from a company out of TN. It was $85 and has outlasted the Chrome one-wire I got from Summit. I was even picky about the chrome job and they swapped it out for a nicer one.
http://www.dbelectrical.com/alternators/alternators.shtml

An upgrade is the way to go but for now check and make sure the belt is tight this is often overlooked when an alternator output is low under a load. just my 2c.

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN MY 71, UPGRADES TO A 94 AMP(86 OLDS CUSTOM CRUISER WGN)DIRECT BOLT IN, UP GRADE WIRING FOR INTERNAL ALT.( I RUN 2 BATT WIRES
1 TO HORN RELAY, 1 DIRECTLY TO BATTERY)WORKS GREAT
ROB....