Battery life

[ChristopherN]

Hi, I am wondering how long the battery in my 2000 jimmy will last. It's brand new as of august 2009.

What I would be using it for is charging 18v hammer drill batteries on it while the car is off. How long before the battery will be too depleted to start the jimmy. I know this is pretty vague but if someone could tell me a general idea of this would be helpful, also if just getting a second battery and bigger alternator might be a better choice.

Thanks!

 

[Molson02536]

You can use a deep cycle battery with the largest cold cranking amp you can find for your jimmy and do the alternator up grade buy adding a second rectifier to give you a extra long life. Your Alternator has a three diode rectifier, buy adding the second rectifier modulator you'll have six diodes to convert the A/C produced from your alternator to D/C. This sill produce less heat to the rectifier and you'll have no alternator problems other then bearing and brush failure, and I found it to be around 325,00 miles. That's when mine failed, all you have to do is add the second rectifier on the out side and piggy back the connections off the first rectifier on the inside of the alternator and your electrical hook ups are still the same as stock.

 

[ChristopherN]

So what you're saying is find a bigger alternator that is 2 rectifier instead of 3? Or is this a bigger alternator an add on rectifier.

 

[Molson02536]

Alternators produce AC current, just like the current from your house wall outlet. Then it uses a bridge rectifier, typically with 6 diodes, to convert the AC current to DC for the battery and vehicles electrical system. With Dual Rectifiers, you get 12 Diodes, which spreads the current load over a much larger area making the alternator twice as durable and twice as efficient at converting the AC current it makes to DC. The many benefits include: less heat build up, less current loss, higher amperage output when hot, more power at idle. Plus, the service duty and life increases substantially. When the rectifier heats up the diodes won't pass as much amperage through them, therefore, the amperage output drops. With a double rectifier alternator you have twice the amperage carrying capacity and double the cooling surface area to keep the diodes cool. Your Jimmy came with the Delco Remy CS-130D 100/105 Amp, there was an optional Delco Remy CS-144 rated at 140, 170, and 200 Amp and is a direct fit without any rewiring. It is a larger alternator, but will bolt right in and you can pick one up at most salvage yards for around $75.00 and was common on the Larger SUV's like Yukon and Suburbans. If there is a alternator shop around your area, ask them if they can add an extra rectifier bridge to keep the cost down. Good luck and hope this helps.