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Old 10-27-2013, 10:38 PM   #1
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Dual Altrrnator?

I have a 99.5 7.3 cargo w a build date of 3/99. I'd like to add a second alternator dedicated solely to my house bank. This is ILO spending money on a 260A single alt and a Blue Sea switching system. I'd still tie the house bank to the starting battery w a manual switch for emergency jump starts.

Is there room in there to put a second one? Other than finding a serpentine big and tough enough to handle it all, does anyone know of any problems w doing this?

JC

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Old 10-27-2013, 11:32 PM   #2
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JCTex
I have a 99.5 7.3 cargo w a build date of 3/99. I'd like to add a second alternator dedicated solely to my house bank. This is ILO spending money on a 260A single alt and a Blue Sea switching system. I'd still tie the house bank to the starting battery w a manual switch for emergency jump starts.

Is there room in there to put a second one? Other than finding a serpentine big and tough enough to handle it all, does anyone know of any problems w doing this?

JC
I think the Ford vans with the ambulance
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Old 10-28-2013, 08:54 AM   #3
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

When I ordered my SMB, I ordered it with duel alternators. Pretty tight.

Woody
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:48 PM   #4
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

It's possible, but would be a ton of work. Have to switch the entire pass side accessory mounts. Have you looked into a single high amp unit?
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Old 10-28-2013, 08:54 PM   #5
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

Why not a solar panel and controller? It would probably end up costing less plus it would charge the house battery if your driving or not.
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Old 10-28-2013, 09:56 PM   #6
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

I agree unless you have some huge load like an add-on A/C that's pulling more than your alternator along with the vehicles draw can keep up with. Solar also promotes battery health where an extra or larger alternator won't. The only reason I went with a larger alternator was the draw that my Starcool put on the system.
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Old 10-28-2013, 10:55 PM   #7
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

Good points.. I'm sorry I forgot to "tell all".

My solar system is planned for 600W and my bank will start at 220 A/hrs useable (at 50%) and expandable to 330 Ah.

For health reasons, I will have a 120V A/C on board. I donno if I'll ever run it while travellimg; but I want the option to exist. I may also pull a travel trailer with its own bank that I may want to charge while I'm driving.

So, bear with me, I want alternator capacity. I'm doing almost a complete rebuild, and now is the time to monkey with the electrical output while the front is open.

I read the fantastic thread about separators and isolators. I'm willing to do all that; but the author himself said the best way is to use a dedicated alternator. I'm just trying to follow that advice.

Once I get it in--if my mechanic can--I know how to wire it to my power center. I am resuming something, however, which is my HD MPPT controller and the internal regulator in a modern alternator will play nice w ea other. I need the alt to do its thing at 13.2 whatever and get out of the way for my controller to work. Since they'll both be hooked to the same terminal block, I hope their circuitry knows how to do this!?

I wish I could look at a parts page showing wherr the ambulance pkg alternator went.

JC
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Old 10-29-2013, 06:45 AM   #8
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

It's down low on the pass side, I'll try to dig up a pic.
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Old 10-29-2013, 03:30 PM   #9
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

Chris, thanks; but don't sweat the pix. Just can it be done from your point of view?

JC
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Old 10-29-2013, 04:47 PM   #10
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Re: Dual Altrrnator?

The dual alternator setup can be done. It will be more involved than you might think. With two alternators there are two drive belts and several pulley have to be changed to support the dual drive belts. Best chance would be to find a dual alternator setup in a wrecking yard and get all the parts. That might include the fan and shroud or maybe not, but both belts and all the pulleys and the support brackets for the lower alternator.

On my van, both setups are in the sticker for the belt routing.

Oh, all the above applies to a 6.0, not sure if it applies to a 7.3.

Mike
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