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Why a high output alternator
A stock alternator is sized for the vehicle it came in: lights, ignition, HVAC and a factory stereo. Most make 100 to 160 amps at highway speed and a lot less at idle. Add a 2,000 watt amplifier and the demand at full volume is well past what the factory unit can supply, so voltage sags, headlights dim on the bass notes and the amplifier clips early because it never sees the 14 volts it was rated at. A bigger battery only stores energy; the alternator is the only thing in the car that makes it. A Mechman high output alternator is a direct-fit replacement wound and rectified for real current at idle and at speed, so the system stays at charging voltage while the music plays.
Which amp rating do you need
A quick rule of thumb: divide the total RMS wattage of your amplifiers by about 10 to estimate peak current draw in amps, then add the vehicle's own load. Mechman rates its alternators honestly, and it publishes idle output as well as peak, which is the number that matters in traffic.
| System (total RMS) | Suggested Mechman rating |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 watts | 170 to 240 amp single alternator |
| 1,500 to 3,000 watts | 250 to 320 amp single alternator |
| 3,000 to 5,000 watts | 370 to 400 amp single alternator, or a second battery plus a 320 amp unit |
| 5,000 watts and up | Dual alternator kit (up to 800 amps) with a lithium or AGM bank |
Not sure where your build lands? Send us the amplifier list and the vehicle and we will size it for you. We have been building systems since 2006 and run Mechman units in our own vehicles.
Find the alternator for your vehicle
This collection is the full Mechman catalogue at Sound Solutions Audio. GM trucks and SUVs are the deepest section, with 1999 to 2013 and 2014 to 2020 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban and Escalade applications in 250 to 400 amp ratings. Ford is covered from the 4.6 and 5.4 modular F-150, Super Duty and Excursion to the Mustang, and there are RAM and Dodge 5.7 Hemi units, Toyota and Scion, Honda Civic, and Nissan and Infiniti fitments. Use the year / make / model filter on the High Output Alternators page to narrow the list to your engine, or browse the whole Mechman range here.
- All high output alternators with vehicle filter
- Dual alternator kits for GM trucks, 1999 to 2020
- SSA branded alternators
- Brackets, pulleys and mounting
Dual alternator kits
When one alternator is not enough, a Mechman dual kit adds a second high output unit on a dedicated bracket. The GM truck kits pair two alternators for a combined 800 amps and come in cast, black, red, green, purple, pink, orange and gold finishes to match the engine bay. Each kit listing states exactly what is included; you supply the wire, and we can spec that too.
Make the alternator work: harnesses, boosters and brackets
Late-model vehicles do not always let an alternator charge as hard as it can. 2005 and newer GM vehicles use a two-pin RVC (regulated voltage control) system that pulls charging voltage down for fuel economy; the Mechman MM-VC1 voltage controller lets you set it back where a big amplifier wants it. Four-pin GM regulators use the P101 boost harness for the same job, and the harness and adapter collection has the plug conversions that let a Mechman unit drop into an earlier or later engine. Heavy-duty stud boots, output terminals and Big 3 upgrade kits finish the install.
Powering the rest of the system
- Car audio batteries
- Lithium batteries
- AGM batteries
- 1/0 AWG power wire
- Big 3 kits
- All alternators and electrical
Sound Solutions Audio is an authorized Mechman dealer. Orders ship fast from the US, free on orders over $199, with financing available at checkout. If a listing does not answer your fitment question, ask before you order; we would rather check the pulley and plug than ship the wrong unit.
Frequently asked questions
Will a high output alternator damage my vehicle's electrical system?
No. An alternator only supplies the current the vehicle asks for; the regulator holds voltage at the normal 13.8 to 14.8 volts. A 320 amp unit in a car that draws 60 amps makes 60 amps. The extra capacity is there for when the amplifiers call for it.
Do I need the Big 3 upgrade with a Mechman alternator?
We strongly recommend it. The factory alternator-to-battery, battery-to-chassis and engine-to-chassis cables were sized for the stock alternator. Replacing or adding to them with 1/0 AWG lets the new alternator's output actually reach the battery and amplifiers instead of being lost as heat in thin wire.
Will it charge at idle?
High output alternators are wound to make a large share of their rated current at idle, and Mechman publishes idle output for each unit. If the listing you are looking at does not state it, ask us and we will confirm before you order.
What is RVC and why do 2005 and newer GM vehicles need a controller?
Regulated voltage control is GM's fuel-economy strategy: the body module tells the alternator to run as low as about 12.6 volts when it decides the battery is charged. That starves a big amplifier. The Mechman MM-VC1 controller takes over the two-pin regulator command so the system charges at a voltage you set.
Do I need a different belt or pulley?
Most single Mechman alternators are direct bolt-in replacements that keep the factory pulley ratio, belt and plug. Dual alternator kits add a bracket and change the belt routing; the kit listing explains what is included. If your engine has been modified, tell us and we will check the fitment.
