I have a 97 e250 with the 5.4 that is a work vehicle. We need to have AC power in it so I'm installing a 100W inverter. I'd like to add a second battery bank for the inverter with a seperate, high output alternator. Is it possible to add a 2nd alternator to this engine?

Thanks in advance.

 

What is it you are going to be running on the inverter, did you mean 1000w instead of 100, cause 100 is not going to power much. I run a 450/800w peak just thru the power point. That is good for minor 115 AC volt applications such as electronics with low ampere requirements.
As for the addition of an extra alt, it can be done but more importantly is the cost and belt configuration.

 

I need to run a laptop and a printer pretty much all day and a jig saw and a cordless tool battery charger occasionally.

Yes, I did mean a 1000W inverter.

The big thing is that I need the laptop to keep running when we're at a service call and the engine is off. Sometimes that's only 30 minutes but most of the time its an hour or two. I plan on putting a couple of deep-cycle batteries in to run the inverter and would really prefer to have a seperate alternator to charge them instead of installing a battery isolator, if it isn't too much of a hassle.

 

You may want to just try a 1000w on your system as is before the other mods. The jig saw depending on amps is the only thing that might not work right, but I have run all the other types of devices you mention and also had the inverter run off the battery for over an hour before without the low voltage alarm on my inverter coming on while running dc chargers for my drills. I do understand you wanting a heavy duty set up though, also apart from the trucks wiring cause this stuff can damage things if overtaxed.

 

Add a 2nd battery and battery isolator to power a inverter. I use a Igo power adapter for my notebook in my truck. iGo.com iGo everywhere130 notebook power adapter It can be used in a vehicle or as a wall adapter.

 

I saw the ideal set-up at the DRMO site here in HR. It's a Heavy Duty E-350 that was used for some kind of Special Ops. There was radio and computor racks in the van with a desk and all in the back. In the far back, right at the rear doors the contractor cut a hole in the floor and mounted a Kubota diesel powered generator under the floor. I was, without a doubt the neatest install I've ever seen. Sorry, no pics.