Alternator replacement?

[zuren]

I'm slowly eliminating the squealing pulleys in my engine bay and it seems that the alternator is next. The van has 150,000+ miles and think everything has been original, so it's time. It is hard to hear but I do have a mechanic's stethoscope; when I touch the bolts on the pulleys I replaced, I hear a "whir". When I touch case of the alternator, it sounds like a gravely rumble (which I'm assuming is not normal).

My electrical needs are relatively modest (starting battery, house battery, standard radio, HAM radio, fog lights, driving lights, standard headlights). The 145 amp OEM unit seems to have worked fine. Is there any reason to go bigger or with some other aftermarket option? I'm not doing anything extreme enough to justify a welding alternator setup.

Thanks!

 

[86cj]

GM has a 220 amp option on a new van now, it would probably bolt on. I know some aftermarket alternators can put out alot more than the stock unit at low RPM, a good thing for an idling camper. I have not used an aftermarket big output unit so I can't speak to their lifespan. I suspect the local parts store Chinese unit I bought a couple years ago won't last 17 years like the stock A/C Delco unit I had, it sounded like gravel when it died too. I wonder if a local re-builder might have been a better choice, the Chinese one was not inexpensive.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I'd throw some new bearings & Brushes in the one you have and save the big bucks for something else.

I don't know about that 220 amp one, but lots of high rated ones only produce that output for a short time.