My truck only has the single alternator. I want to add a secondary battery bank to power a 1000W inverter and would like to install a high-amp alternator in the top position to charge these batteries entirely isolated from the the starting batteries without installing a battery isolator. So what do I need to do to add the alternator? I know I'm going to need to change the serpentine belt and top radiator hose, will I also need to add some wiring harness or does it already exist? What about the bracket and alternator, what do I need to buy?

Thanks in advance.

 

The 2nd alternator is actually a lower alternator. You'll need the mounting bracket and wiring, usually from a wrecking yard. The other option would be to look into a high output alternator to run as a single. Check with DB-Electrical and see if they don't have something that will fit with what you need.

 

I don't have the info you seek, just some observations.

Back in the day, dual alternator set-ups were crap. Today. on ambulances and such, we onlo use singles, althought it's a high output alternator.

However, should you add a second alt for a SEPERATE bank of batteries, that should be no problem. Just make sure there is a voltage regulator involved somewhere.

 

I *think* the voltage regulator is part of the high output alternator, isn't it? I remember reading that but could be wrong...

 

Might be, might not be.....depends on the alt.

 

Do you know where you get the HO alternators from Joe? DB is the only place I know of that sells them.

Yes, voltage regulators are internal to the alternators now a days.

 

We know you have an F-250 from your profile page. We don't know what engine you have.

Anything we say here would only be relevant to a 7.3 diesel.

Should we assume that?

Pop

 

You might want to look up locally in your area for an alternator/starter repair shop. They may be able to build you one that could fit your needs.

 

If I ever need another one, I'm getting one of these:
High Output Ford Alternator, Large Case Alternator Upgrade for Ford 7.3l, 6.0 & 6.5 Power Stroke Diesel

Probably an HD 160A...

 

Don't know about installing a second alternator, but, as an option, those alternators listed in Izzy351's post are pretty tough. You could wire them together, and use an isolator, or you could get a battery disconnect switch and shut the auxillary batteries off when the truck is off. Just a different idea that would accomplish what you're looking to do. #1 gage welding lead would be big enough, and is probably cheaper than battery cable. Can be found at your local welding supply shop.

 

Subscribing:
Seems to me that if you add a 2nd alt in the position that a second alt would be installed (if you had dual alts) and simply wire it to a secondary battery pack, all should be well.

 

That the same site that I've been looking at.

 

Yep, that's right. The only way it gets tricky is when you want to run duals charging THE SAME batteries. If you were planning on running a completely separate battery, the second alt would work perfectly without isolators, etc. For me, I don't run enough accessories to make it worth it, so just an upgraded one with high-idle on my chip to keep the voltage up is all I need. I have an RF amplifier that pulls 90A peak by itself, so the stocker is a bit light, but I don't need a separate system for it for as much as I use it.