The best high output alternator - Page 2

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-09-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "billwilson

anyone know if having a 200 amper has any negitive effects??

bw (aka Rob)

Some negative impact on the wallet also.

Mike

billwilson · 01-09-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jage

Quote:

Originally Posted by billwilson

also would like a manual switch to force charge to camp batteries

If you have a SurePower, there is a "Start" terminal that takes a small wire, in my van a light green one. You should be able to supply 12v through a fuse and then a switch right from either terminal side to force the separator closed making all your batteries one system (ergo charging).

I disconnected my green wire permanently as I did not want automatically joined batteries on every start. You can use a diode if you want to connect both the switch and leave this wire connected.

I have a "momentary switch" to connect both to use the camp battery to start the engin

if i make it a toggle, will that do what i want??

billwilson · 01-09-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbmac

Quote:

Originally Posted by billwilson

anyone know if having a 200 amper has any negitive effects??

bw (aka Rob)

Only negative would be to mileage. Probably less than a half gallon an hour, but not insignificant.

is this because of the serpentine pulling more load?

since i average Zero mpg, i guess it would not make a difference

TomH · 01-09-2011, 04:01 PM

Out of curiosity, some vans and trucks come with the mounts to mount a second alternator; is there a chance your SMB has this? It seems that if you had an auxillary alternator that you could engage and disengage at will, the extra load on the engine would only occur when you needed it, kind of like the air conditioning only pulling a load when engaged.

This next thought is just a random off the wall, thinking out loud kind of thing. If in fact a vehicle did have the mounting points for a second alternator, I wonder if you could actually put a small generator there instead of an alternator. I may be completely wrong on this but it seems that the draw would be greater than a second alternator, but that the overall efficiency might be better. I know you would have to run the thing every so often to maintain magnetism. Just a really wild thought. Having an independent gasoline generator is probably more cost effective, particularly since you can run it whether the vehicle engine is on or off. Oh well, probably not the best idea.

jage · 01-09-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomH

second alternator; a small generator

Don't know about the V10s, but in my 6.0L the first problem would be finding space.

**daveb** · 01-09-2011, 08:02 PM

If I remember correctly, SMB could have ordered a van for me with twin alternators but I wanted the Starcool system and they said there wouldn't be enough room due to the Starcool stuff. I think most ambulances have twin alternators.

I plan to call the guys that Mike showed the link to but also have a friend at a parts shop looking as well.
Dave.

maxacceleration · 01-09-2011, 10:40 PM

Why not the stock Ford (or aftermarket replacement) 'extra heavy duty' alternator?
I ordered my V10 with the 225 amp.
I'm sure its pricey.

**daveb** · 01-10-2011, 01:03 PM

I tried that, all they (Ford) offers is the 110 and 140 Amp model. Maybe your dealer installed an aftermarket unit in your van? BTW the alternator I was running was a 200A model that I had Ford install several years back.

I'm looking at this company currently, mainly because I can get it locally. It's a 230A model with a cooling fan.
http://www.prestolite.com/pgs_products/alt_search.php

If anybody has had issues with this company I'd like to hear about it.
Thanks
Dave B

maxacceleration · 01-10-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

I tried that, all they (Ford) offers is the 110 and 140 Amp model. Maybe your dealer installed an aftermarket unit in your van?
Dave B

I factory ordered the 'extra heavy duty' 225 amp alternator from Ford along with the auxiliary battery (2nd under floor battery).
There are order codes for them which I have on paper.

Its not my impression that they were dealer installed.
I should try my dealer and see what the story is.

Nomadcat · 01-10-2011, 10:08 PM

Quadvan used these guys to build me a high power alternator. They also go under the name of Wrangler Northwest Power or something like that.

Either way, I drove out there with John to get the correct module installed on it and they seemed totally competent. They do mil-spec work, as well.

http://www.amforelectronics.com/