What size alternator 2017

[17Ram]

What is the standard alternator on a 2017 2500?
Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

Standard is a 180A. 220A is optional as are dual alternators.

 

[17Ram]

Standard is a 180A. 220A is optional as are dual alternators.

Thank you.

 

[17Ram]

Standard is a 180A. 220A is optional as are dual alternators.

I forgot to add a second part of the question. Do you know if the 2017 alternator is considered “smart”?

 

[AH64ID]

I forgot to add a second part of the question. Do you know if the 2017 alternator is considered “smart”?

What makes an alternator smart?

 

[gsbrockman]

What makes an alternator smart?

Doesn’t ride a short bus?

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I thought 220 was standard on Cummins trucks.

 

[AH64ID]

I thought 220 was standard on Cummins trucks.

Its an option, but not standard.

 

[17Ram]

What makes an alternator smart?

From my understanding, smart alternators do not push out the same amount of amps constantly, they can deviate according to rpms. That’s a simpleton understanding. I’m no expert.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Looked at my order sheet it says "heavy duty snow plow prep group" code "AHD"

 

[AH64ID]

From my understanding, smart alternators do not push out the same amount of amps constantly, they can deviate according to rpms. That’s a simpleton understanding. I’m no expert.

All alternators vary amperage. In simple terms an alternator applies the amperage needed to supply the desired voltage, up to their max rating. Basically voltage is the constant and amperage is the variable, it’s not quite that simple but close enough for a basic understanding.

 

[gsbrockman]

I thought 220 was standard on Cummins trucks.

180A is standard.

 

[SSchang]

A smart alternator uses the ECM to vary amperage and or voltage to charge the battery at the most fuel efficient periods of operation. While cruising, the ECM will minimize battery charging to maximize fuel efficiency. When your foot is off the throttle, or on the brake pedal, the ECM maximizes the amount of voltage and amperage going to the batteries, as there is no loss of fuel efficiency at that time. One interesting point with smart alternators, they will probably never fully charge your batteries. The typical goal is 80% charged, this leaves some capacity available to be used if more foot off throttle conditions exist, like coasting down a long hill.

To determine if your vehicle has a smart alternator, look at the negative cable at the battery terminal. If there is a small black box with a small wire coming from it, you have a smart alternator.

 

[AH64ID]

A smart alternator uses the ECM to vary amperage and or voltage to charge the battery at the most fuel efficient periods of operation. While cruising, the ECM will minimize battery charging to maximize fuel efficiency. When your foot is off the throttle, or on the brake pedal, the ECM maximizes the amount of voltage and amperage going to the batteries, as there is no loss of fuel efficiency at that time. One interesting point with smart alternators, they will probably never fully charge your batteries. The typical goal is 80% charged, this leaves some capacity available to be used if more foot off throttle conditions exist, like coasting down a long hill.

To determine if your vehicle has a smart alternator, look at the negative cable at the battery terminal. If there is a small black box with a small wire coming from it, you have a smart alternator.

I don’t know when they started, but my 18 has a shunt on the batteries and the charge rate is monitored but I don’t think regulates like you are talking about. I’ve had rentals that did that, thou I didn’t know the terminology.

 

[17Ram]

A smart alternator uses the ECM to vary amperage and or voltage to charge the battery at the most fuel efficient periods of operation. While cruising, the ECM will minimize battery charging to maximize fuel efficiency. When your foot is off the throttle, or on the brake pedal, the ECM maximizes the amount of voltage and amperage going to the batteries, as there is no loss of fuel efficiency at that time. One interesting point with smart alternators, they will probably never fully charge your batteries. The typical goal is 80% charged, this leaves some capacity available to be used if more foot off throttle conditions exist, like coasting down a long hill.

To determine if your vehicle has a smart alternator, look at the negative cable at the battery terminal. If there is a small black box with a small wire coming from it, you have a smart alternator.

Thanks for your great explanation.

 

[RammerJam]

Do we have 'smart alternators' and if so, what does that mean to us as laymen. Do we need to be aware of battery chargers? Do we need buy certain kinds of batteries........? What? Mine came with a 220amp alternator as part of the Snow Chief package.

This is the first I've heard of them.

 

[SSchang]

"Smart alternators" do much better with AGM batteries than traditional lead acid batteries. AGMs are OK being partially charged for long periods of time, traditional lead acid batteries are not. Also, it's important to NOT attach the negative lead of the battery charger directly to the battery negative, as the shunt won't sense how much charge was added to the battery, and therefore won't know the charge level of the battery. See picture.

The little black box with the white lettering on it is the shunt. It measures amperage going into and out of the battery, and can help the engine ECM determine the charge state of the battery. With that information, the ECM can decide when to increase the voltage (and therefore the amperage) from the alternator to the battery(s) when it will least reduce fuel mileage. Many cars use this feature to fully load the alternator when the vehicle operator is using the brakes. The load on the engine from the alternator is significant, and will help slow the vehicle, requiring less brake pedal to slow down the vehicle. This is called "Regenerative Braking", I think it was first significantly used in Formula 1 racing. Not sure if Ram is using it yet.

 

[AH64ID]

Here is how mine is wired for my chargers pigtail.