Originally Posted by
phantomphixer
Does your truck have a second alternator? Might be the difference. I've got the same year and I've only got one alternator. Might be something to check and if it's bad it would kill the upper alternator in no time. Some of these trucks were intended to become service vehicles. (ambulance, telephone truck, tow trucks, etc)
that was my thought.... if you did have two alternators,
and one was bad.... well, it might not kill the second alternator,
but it would play hell with the batteries. on the van's, i think
dueling alternators are one right under the other, but i don't
know about trucks.
unless the second alternator feeds storage batteries, like in
ambulance service. some of the upfitters have a completely
separate system, separate alternator, separate batteries from
the vehicle system.... some of the big stereo guys do that as well.
if it were me, and i had dual alternators, i think i'd unplug
and disconnect one, and leave it there as idler to keep the
belt configuration, and put in a nice size DC Power alternator,
and just run off one alternator.
besides, one 280 amp DC power is equal to two lame ford 140
amp oem's, that don't charge the batteries fully.
