ARCO Zeus A225s High Output Alternator
ARCO Zeus A225s High Output Alternator
Winner of the 2023 IBEX Innovation Award.
Comparable to and outperforms:
• Balmar XT170
• Nations XP160
THE HIGHEST POWER OUTPUT ALTERNATOR IN ITS SIZE/CLASS
- • ARCO outperforms competitor's high amp alternators in real world testing. View test results here.
- • Engineered for High Energy Production.
- • Suitable for Marine, RV, Military, and Commercial applications.
- • Rapidly charges large battery banks.
- • Coolest operating temperatures for increased performance. Runs 8 - 20% cooler than incumbent alternators due to:
- Heat shedding coatings
- Rectifier located on housing exterior
- Dual cooling fans
- OEM Components - • Optimized for performance at idle speeds.
- • Unleash peak performance with E-Coat/Cerakote. ARCOs advanced coating absorbs less heat, keeping the A225S cooler. This translates to more amperage for sustained periods.
- • For maximum performance or lithium battery charging, use an ARCO Zeus Bluetooth alternator regulator.
- • SAE J1171 Certified.
- • Proudly made in the U.S.A.

ARCO has been building high-quality OEM replacement alternators and starters for years. During development of these new high-output alternators, ARCO discovered a gap between published power curves and real-world performance. This was likely due to manufacturers testing under ideal, cooler conditions to achieve higher output figures. To ensure their alternators deliver top performance in everyday use, ARCO implemented rigorous internal testing to evaluate high-performing components under conditions that replicate real-world scenarios.
Specifications:
| Voltage | 12V |
| Field Type | P |
| Rotor Poles | 16 |
| Stator Size | 130mm |
| Frame Size | Small |
| Weight | 12bs / 5.44 kg |
| Regulation | Internal/External (IE) or External Only (EX) |
| Output Voltage | 14.1V (default) |
| Finish | (Black) Cerakote or E-coating |
| Cut-In RPM | 1,061 Alternator RPM |
| Maximum Alt RPM | 19,000 |
| Battery Post | M8 Thread Post, Side Mount |
| Standard Pulley | 49K6 (6-groove, 49mm) |
| Pulley Mount | 17mm diameter shaft, 25mm long, threaded M17 x 1.5 |
| Pulley Hardware | M17 x 1.5 x 24mm nut, w/ 18mm ID x 29mm OD washer (Included) |
| Diodes | 6 positive, 6 negative, 50A Rated, Avalanche |
| Max Output (Cold, 9,000 RPM) | 254 Amps |
| Sustained Cruising Output (Hot, 6,000 RPM) | 187 Amps |
| Sustained Idle Output (Hot, 3,000 RPM) | 157 Amps |
| Max Continuous Operating Temperature | 110°C / 230°F |
A little bit about regulators: ARCO Zeus alternators are available with or without an internal regulator, and all models will accept an external regulator. If an internal regulator is installed, switching to or from an external one is accomplished by simply moving a wire.
Applications:
| Mounting | ARCO Part Number | Application |
| 1-2” Single Foot | A225S-12-SF12-EX-49K6 A225S-12-SF12-IE-49K6 |
Replaces most domestic styles using a single 1or 2”mounting foot (e.g., Motorola, Prestolite). |
| 3.15” J180 Saddle | A225S-12-DF315-EX-49K6 A225S-12-DF315-IE-49K6 |
Replaces most small case styles using a 3.15” J180 saddle style mount (e.g., Hitachi, Lucas, Mitsubishi) Most Yanmars. |
| Vortec | A225S-12-VT-EX-49K6 A225S-12-VT-IE-49K6 |
Replaces Mando type alternators using Vortec/ GM pad mounting feet (Found on many Mercruiser and Volvo Penta 3.0GLM, 3.0GLP, 4.3GXi, 5.7GiL, 5.7GXiL Marine Engines.) (GM Blocks ) |
ARCO Zeus alternators come in many frame, regulator, and pulley combinations :
| Voltage | Max output Amps | Sustained Idle output amps | Housing | Pulley | Unit Part # |
| 12V | 254 | 187 | Vortec (GM) External Only | 49mm K6 (6 groove) | A225S-12-VT-EX-49K6 |
| 12V | 254 | 187 | Vortec (GM) Internal or External | 49mm K6 (6 groove) | A225S-12-VT-IE-49K6 |
| 12V | 254 | 187 | 1"-2" Single Foot External Only | 49mm K6 (6 groove) | A225S-12-SF12-EX-49K6 |
| 12V | 254 | 187 | 1"-2" Single Foot Internal or External | 49mm K6 (6 groove) | A225S-12-SF12-IE-49K6 |
| 12V | 254 | 187 | 3.15" J180 External Only | 49mm K6 (6 groove) | A225S-12-DF315-EX-49K6 |
| 12V | 254 | 187 | 3.15" J180 Internal or External | 49mm K6 (6 groove) | A225S-12-DF315-IE-49K6 |