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Old 11-11-2009, 06:10 PM   #1
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Heavy duty alternator

Has anyone replaced the stock alternator or ordered their van with a heavier duty alternator? Does this offer any advantage for recharging the auxiliary battery while driving and delivering power to 12v devices like winches and air compressors? I think the new Ford E-350 comes with a 110 Amp alternator, and for the V-10, a 155 Amp or 225 Amp is offered as an option. It's not that much money to add it, but is it worthwhile?

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Old 11-11-2009, 08:02 PM   #2
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

DaveB upgraded to a 200A alternator.

viewtopic.php?p=23994#p23994

You could probably PM him for more information.

Mike
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Old 11-11-2009, 09:37 PM   #3
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

I have the upgraded alternator on the V10, for me it is worth it because if you have starcool running, computer, etc, you don't have a lot left for charging. Worth it in my view.

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Old 11-12-2009, 07:18 PM   #4
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

That thread references the Xantrec regulator, but Ford alternators are P type with internal regulators. Can't use the Xantrec.

The Ford upgrade is probably a good idea. But it won't do much without heavy cabling and a separator (that doesn't drop the voltage like a isolator). But any ford regulator isn't going to run optimally for deep discharge batteries. Hopefully it puts a good amount of power in without damaging the house batteries. The shore power charge controller, and the solar charge controller, are more capable of getting the batteries to 100% without damage. A nice aspect of a solar panel is that the house battery is topped off nicely every day. This is good for maintaining max capability and battery life.

A better and more expensive alternator than Ford offers will produce a lot of power at idle, and will have a regulator designed to work with AGM batteries. These are used in emergency vehicles, and made by companies like American Armature. It's probably not worth the cost for a typical SMB install of one house batteries. Someone installing multiple house batteries, with a lot of electronics, might go with a high-end alternator and not bring a generator.
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Old 11-15-2009, 09:50 AM   #5
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

checked out american armature
looks like have a OE model

any other manufactures that ya all know of


also, it lists the specs for the alternator
anyone know the specs of a stock alt so we could compare??
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Old 11-23-2009, 10:06 PM   #6
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

Quote:
Originally Posted by billwilson
anyone know the specs of a stock alt so we could compare??
Yep.

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Old 11-25-2009, 10:49 AM   #7
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

CHeck these guys out:
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/fad-alternator.html

I think I may go for their 260 amp version.

THey will custom build even higher amp models too. Looking at the stock wiring size, I don't think larger wiring to the chassis battery is necessary. (of course, wiring to auxiliary batteries will vary by battery setup and charging needs). I will have to up my aux wiring.
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Old 12-06-2009, 09:04 PM   #8
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

I just came across this thread. The link Mike supplied was a thread about a modified voltage regulator and was supposed to be used to highly regulate voltage to the house system, not as the primary regulator. As far as high amp alternators, I have been running one (200A) for over a year and am totally happy with it. Sorry but I don't have a link to the thread but it's on the site somewhere. The only downside of the unit I'm running is the regulated voltage varies between 13.3 and 14.1 as a rule. At times my scan gauge will see it drop into the upper 12 v range for a brief second. This seems to be characteristic with this model (I've tested 2 of them) and have found no problems with their operation but I also have solar panels that top out the voltage at 14.4. YMMV. If anyone is interested I can get the manufactures part number.
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Old 02-07-2010, 02:18 PM   #9
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

I recently upgraded to a 140A alternator from these guys:

http://www.alternatorparts.com/6g-serie ... nator.html

Seems like a quality product and is cheaper than a Ford rebuilt.

Mike
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Old 02-07-2010, 02:24 PM   #10
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Re: Heavy duty alternator

The guys at Quadvan got me a high power alternator - at my request - from these guys:

http://www.amforelectronics.com/

I think they're also known as Northwest Power Products.
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