I'm running the DC Power 320 and love it!

 

My 250 amp dc alternator i had to grind some of the housing off for it to fit on my excursion;

 

Your alternator should have come with spacers that elevated the unit up off of the mounting base (by about 7/16 inch or so, if memory serves). This would have cleared that bolt and prevented you from having to grind it, while also increasing the tension on your belt. Not a huge deal, but thought that I should mention it.

 

I'm in the same boat right now, but am trying to decide between the 185 and the 190, as well as whether or not I should upgrade the cables. If money were no object, I'd go with the 250 and put new cables everywhere, but it is, so I'm not. The only thing I have on top of being stock in regards to current draw is a Viair compressor that draws 23amps. I have this on a switch so that I can decide when it pumps and when it doesn't, so I can leave it off until the glowplugs have cycled, etc, etc.

Any thoughts on what to do?

 

Been thinking about this myself....

I'm currently running an Autozone Super Duty 140 amp alternator and while it does the job, I know a DC Power 190 amp alternator would do a better job.

I'm not really wanting to mod the cables, so from what I'm reading 190 amps would be a safe bet.

 

But for $70 less, wouldn't the 185 do the job as well?

Speaking of, what exactly is the difference between the 185 and 190, other than the different output? The construction looks different all around based on the DC Power website. Is one design better than the other?

 

Ah, for the sake of simplicity, 185 it is!

 

The HD unit is a beefier, better built unit. Though the 185 would 'do the job', the 190 does an additional 20 amps at idle - a pretty huge difference, especially when considering your 23 amp draw compressor. Essentially, you could be running your compressor and hardly dip into the maximum capacity of the 185 unit.

 

Mine took a crap yesterday, I got about a month out of it! Piece of crap, guess I'm no longer in love with it!

 

Wow that was short lived How did you kill such a large unit,
in such a short time

 

With nothing, I have a few lights, a small ham radio, nothing out of the norm. It was at 13.2 volts yesterday on the high side and saw 12.4 at night with ac and lights on. Replaced it it with my OEM today and sent back.

 

Ordered a Mechman alternator recently, will report back once it's installed, 140A at hot idle and 240A at hot 1700 RPM with a 2 year warranty for $349

 

i like the ground lug included...

 

Schmidt What series did you go with in the Mechman?

 

I'm not sure what the series is called. I actually emailed Matt at Mechman (mlogan@mechman.com) about their battery cable kit and he told me about the alternator, said it's not on their website. They also make the the "Tough Truck" alternators and he said that the internals on this one are identical to that line, here is a link, he has been very helpful and prompt with his reponses...

240a Truck Tough High Output Alternator for Ford 6.0 diesel - Truck Tough High Output Alternators | Online Store