This Caltric stator vs. OEM review explains why you may need to change your OEM stator with a Caltric. When the alternator starts acting up, you will experience problems starting your car.
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Hi, my name is Greg.
I own a Honda civic 1997 model that I inherited from my grandmother. While the car is old, it enables me to navigate from my hostel to class, and I occasionally go for road trips with friends over the weekend. When I first started using the car, I would be forced to jumpstart it first thing in the morning because my battery would often be dead.
I tried changing the alternator several times, but I would still end up with the same problem. This continued until I changed mechanics. My new mechanic suggested that I install a Caltric stator. I have so far clocked over 2,000 miles on my Honda with the Caltric stator on. In this Caltric vs. OEM review, I will tell you why you how to replace your OEM stator with a Caltric one.
But before we get into the review, you could be wondering what role does a stator play in a car?
If you are experiencing battery problems as I used to the first place to check is whether your battery is still functioning. You can test it for power and replace it. But, if your battery is good, but you experience dim lights and problems starting the car – even after traveling for long distances – you may need to have your alternator checked.
The battery powers the car’s electrical system in conjunction with the alternator. If powering the car was left to the battery alone your car would run down; that is why you have a rechargeable battery with a charging system.
Inside the alternator, component is the stator. It consists of wire windings that house the rotor. When the rotor revolves, electromagnetic currents are produced. Transistor controls ensure that the right current is flowing to your battery.
Caltric Stator vs. OEM Stator Review
Caltric stator Polaris
Caltric has built themselves a reputation for producing quality car accessories. You will find parts for motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and vehicles. The Caltric stator is made from high-quality components and can perform even better than your OEM.
When purchasing your Caltric stator ensure that you have all the information at hand like vehicle model number and age. Some of the Caltric stators comes with regulator rectifier. The components are easy to plug into the rest of the car’s electrical systems, but you may be forced to change some power cables if your stator has more power than the car’s demand.
Caltric stators produce more output with low RPM. This helps you save on gas while ensuring that your alternator is operating at maximum efficiency. The copper windings in the Caltric stator are of high quality and should give service to your car for the next thousands of miles.
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OEM
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This are parts that originally come with the car. While the parts have been tested for quality controls, your car’s electrical system can interfere with their performance and cause you to purchase a separate alternator.
One of the lead causes for OEM stator problems is overheating of car’s electrical system. This can occur if you have added subwoofers and other car accessories that drain power.
You can Purchase an aftermarket stator to replace the OEM stator. When purchasing one ensure that you are making your purchase from a reputable company and that the stator comes with a warranty.
In some situations, you will find aftermarket stators that are better than the OEM. One of these is the Caltric stator, that is known for being high-quality and long-lasting.
How do I know it is time to replace my alternator?
The first sign of a failed alternator is when you try to start the car, and it makes “clicking” sounds. Even when you purchase a new battery, you still experience the same problem.
Driving with a faulty alternator is dangerous – especially when you are driving at night. Your headlights will be dim, and if it is raining or foggy, you will experience problems with your wipers.
Your car needs a lot of power to start and operate the various electrical components.The battery alone cannot power up all these devices, and that is where an alternator comes into play.
The alternator will be connected to the crankshaft, and this will produce mechanical energy which the rotor and stator convert into electrical currents. Inside the alternator, you will find brushes, rotor, stator, and other internal components.
The stator is the device with copper windings. With time the internal components will wear out, and you will be forced to replace the OEM stator with another brand like Caltric stator.
You will realize that you have Caltric stator issues when you experience:
Service engine light
When you observe your dashboard – older models – you will see a “check engine” or “ALT” whenever your alternator needs servicing. The battery icon may occasionally come on.
Dim lights
Another sign that it is time to change your alternator is when you experience dim or flickering lights – especially at night. During the day you may experience problems with your signal lights. The more sure sign of faulty alternator is when the lights suddenly brighten when you increase your RPM.
Squealing noise
There are moments you will notice a squealing noise coming from the alternator. At times it could be the belt that has aged or the alternator is not getting enough charge.
Electrical seats
If you have power windows and electric seats, then you will know it is time to replace your alternator when they no longer work. The power windows will drag when being pulled up or down. The radio will also stop functioning as less power is being transmitted to the terminals.
Engine stalling
This could be the most embarrassing. You are stuck in traffic and your engine all of a sudden cuts. The fuel gauge is fine, but your car lacks power. This is an indication that you need to change your alternator.
Battery problems
The next indicator that you have Caltric stator issues is when your battery goes flat even after traveling for miles. Purchasing a new battery without changing the alternator will leave you stranded again.
How to replace your OEM stator with a Caltric Stator Polaris
The first thing you need to know before you replace your alternator is how much power your car consumes. The radio systems consume the most power, and you can start with calculating the Amp there then head to the headlights. A typical radio system will consume around 50W while LED headlights consume 30W each. Look for an alternator that will produce slightly above your normal consumption.
When you rev up your engine to cruise RPM with all accessories running, you should consume not less than 13V or more than 14.4V. If you have higher or lower consumption, then it is time to replace your alternator. You can always upgrade to a higher power alternator.
The Caltric stator Polaris will come with all the connector cables which will make it easy to replace. You can do it yourself or hire a mechanic to change it for you. Get all the tools in place before opening the bonnet. Ensure that you have given your engine time to cool down before replacing the alternator. Most of the manufacturers do not come with an instruction manual for replacing the alternator, but you can get tutorials online.
Once you have replaced your stator, rev the engine to cruise control while switching on all the car’s accessories. You should note a difference between the car’s OEM stator and your newly installed Caltric stator.
Final thoughts
The OEM stator comes with the car, but with time some of the components like the brushes, rotor, and stator wear out. This is the time you start experiencing problems starting your car or powering various electrical accessories like headlights and car radio.
Once you have identified that it is the alternator that needs changing identify the right stator for your car model. Stators are designed for different car models, and you need to get the right fit. The Caltric Stator Polaris has better performance than most OEM stators.
Your power input will determine the kind of stator that you purchase. Some of the stators from well-known brands will come with connectors and one year warranty. Replacing the car’s stator should take you less than one hour. You can do it yourself or opt for a mechanic.
Ensure that the rest of the alternator components are also working – brushes and rotor. A high-quality stator will convert mechanical energy to electrical and power up all your car accessories.
If you still experience dim lights and problems starting the car, upgrade to a more powerful alternator or get a larger battery. Problems with the alternator can cause untold damage to your car electrical appliances and get stuck you when driving at night. It is embarrassing having to jumpstart your car constantly.
