Larger alternator needed!

[SHaugen]

06 Diesel. I've added a bright box and four Light Force driving lights and think I should be upgrading my charging system. Anyone did this yet? If so, which one did you buy? I also use a hydronics heater by Espar so the batterys are constantly being discharged from that also.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Even if the lights are 100 watts each (meaning total consumption is less than 40 amps), you're hardly getting into the capabilities of the alternator. I forgot what the alternator is rated at (at driving speed), but I think it's 150 amp?



Upgrading the alternator won't help your espar draw issues when the engine is not running.



Are you experiencing any charging issues? If so, check all your battery connections.

 

[JFaulkner]

If you think a larger alternator is warranted you can have yours re-wound by an alternator\starter shop for a higher amperage. Or you can get one already done. Examples 1,2.

 

[magothy1]

I think it amps x volts = watts, it's pretty unlikely you'll ever run over 150 amps, I think. A 150 alternator puts out some serious juice.

 

[p-Bar]

ohnoitsyu is right ,I am running 15,000 lumens of lighting and my escort radar detector in voltage monitor keeps it at 14. 1 volts with everything on. If you are growing marijuana in the bed of the truck I could see you would need it for the metal halides.

 

[WDaniels]

SHaugen,

I have 2 of the largest lightforce lights and 4 of PIAA's largest lights plus HID headlights in the front end and on the front of my truck and the old alt(125 amps is what they are rated at) could eaisly handle it. The lights draw about 4. 8 amps apiece. But as you might still want to upgrade, go to "Mean Green" (on the web) in PA and they sell a direct drop in 200 amp alt. That is what I did instead of putting new bearings in my old alt. If you exceed about 2 thirds of your output consistantly, you will shorten the life of your alt. If you under tax your alt by a bunch, you shorten the life of your alt. Figure your entire electrical load, (heater on high, lights, wipers, windows etc and make sure it doesn't exceed about 65%. Then you will be ok. Hope this helps.

WD

P. S. I would attach a picture of the truck if I knew how to.

WD

 

[Cummins Pilot]

I run 4 100watt Lightforce lights. In the winter obviously the cab heater/fan is on high, lights are on ect. With my stock alt (136amp) I can run all day. When I had my thrid set of lightforces on after about an hour my alt would go offline from being pushed to hard to long (restarting truck resets the alt). Same thing happens with my winch. I also run an Espar & to help the batteries at work I plug in everything along with 4 battery minders (1amp each).



If I had a spare shunt around I'd install that so I could take a look at amp draw for what the truck needs then add in my accs.

 

[SHaugen]

Thanks all, ... good info. The temp here in alaska surely plays a part in all this too. After a long run (5hours) with everything on, then in the a. m. letting the heater come on for 2 hours draws the batts down enough to kick on the check guages lite. If I don't run the Light forces I have no problems in the morning.

 

[WDaniels]

SHaugen,

Where are you at? Your signature isn't there.

WD

 

[Cummins Pilot]

SHaugen,

How do you like your Espar? I love mine. Best mod I've done.

 

[JR2]

SHaugen,

How do you like your Espar? I love mine. Best mod I've done.

Ditto on that, the ESPAR is sweet.



Here is a hint, when you set your eapar to come on in the AM make sure you turn your fan control to the lowest setting. Your truck will still be warm but it will not kill your batteries.





John

 

[BigBadDodge]

I bought one of these Load Boss 220Amp alternators when my stocker wasn't keeping up with all the electrical stuff on my puller never had a problem after I installed it. Pics on my web page (I think)



Get them here on Ebay, or directly through altastart.



Load Boss





BBD

 

[WDaniels]

Hey JR2,

I got the Wabesto or BlueHeat and is set for the second level of fan speed and cannot be turned up just so as not to drain you batteries. I opted for the new version of the Wabesto because you can operate it while you running down the road.

WD

P. S.

John,

anyone down there in Anchorage that is real, real, real good in body work for your vehicle. Need some custom work done on the ole rig. Heard from Bob?

WD

 

[JR2]

The only body shop I have used is now gone, owner got tired of sniffing paint and is now an insurance adjuster. Can't help you there. Talked to Bob a couple of weeks ago, he is almost done with the new wiring for my stock lights. Soon I will have all eigh filiments in the sport lights lit on highbeam... woo woo.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

I opted to not wire my fan into the Espar. I have one of those little buddy heaters to heat the cab & I'd rather not drain my batteries anymore than I have to. My drive to work is 1. 1 miles. No time to recharge.



On a side note JR2, come May I'm moving to Anc. Wouldn't mind getting to know the Anc TDR members sometime.

 

[WDaniels]

Oh great Tyler! Thanks for leaving me up here. If I get the job in Anchorage I'll be there October first. Hopefully. We need to get togeather so you can see my headlights that got replaced with new HID projectors. They are great.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Josh was telling me that you replaced your old stockers. And yes we need to do another get together. I want to build up my headache rack so I can run my 4, 10" lightforce lights. Run those plus the 4, 6" ones and you can see EVERYTHING! Except road signs are too bright to read then.

 

[WDaniels]

Tyler,

I designing a bumper so I can get rid if my 2 large light forces and get 4 more PIAA's and have them all in the bumper so that nothing is hanging out. Those projectors I swapped for are awesome. If you have the change, it is worth it.