Max Alternator amperage

[Jerryl]

What's the best way to confirm max alternator output amps?

 

[Heisenberg]

The "best" way is to do it on a test bench.
With the rated load bank set to match it
And then driven over the speed range.
A real alternator test bench.
Not at the O'Reilly/Advance/Autozone but someone with a proper load bank and driven at the proper max speed

Short of that - I would hesitate to recommend trying to rig up a suitable load output on the car to simulate full load.
But it could be done with a standard load bank jury rigged - but you'd also have to rev to the desired WOT and all that just sounds insane.

The other more simplified test is to turn all loads - and measure the alternator output voltage.
At idle of course.
This has a very rough correlation to output amps.
But it doesn't tell you anything about over the speed / output range.

You mentioned only wanting to check output amps, but bearing wear and heat at the high range running for extended times is also an important test.
More or less in the visual or feel category.
It might be able to output the max rated current - but how is it behaving when it does?

http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/alternatorselection.htm

 

[novaderrik]

turn everything on in your car, then rev it up..
if the voltage stays steady, then you have enough amps.

 

[Jerryl]

Thanks guys. WOT voltage is 16 WITH VB. Just not sure of alternator rating.