Most automobile electrical systems are not designed to meet a 450 amp load (though they could be, but the alternator would be prohibitively huge), so such an output would be considered a transient load - it is not anticipated as any type of "normal" event.

 

that bank of caps would be great for a high power stereo system or a sweet 16 but not a plow.

tying another battery in is going to be your easiest way to take care of this plow season.

 

I would upgrade my batteries to a Deep cycle battery and get a Larger alternator.

 

Deep cycle is NOT the right choice for primary auto batteries.

 

I would be interested in a technical explaination as to why. We use deep cycles in our boats, and have as long as I can remember. They do the same thing - crank the engine over, recharge off the alternator, and store a charge to start later. The only thing that differs is our boats have never been used nearly as much as any vehicle and sit all winter long.

 

there are not enough plates to give the CCA's needed to crank a diesel. Deep cycle batts have very thick plates just not enough of them for the current draw needed.
They do have their applications though. They can be discharged to nil and bounce back without sulfating like a starting batt which makes them ideal for recreational vehicles but your truck batteries can't take heavy discharges without sacrificing longevity.
Deep cycles can produce a steady voltage over a longer duration of time without much voltage drop.
These type of batteries have "reserve capacity" not "cold cranking amps"

I hope that was technical enough

 

Ok guys, this is an interesting discussion. Let me clarify a few things...

I don't plow commercially, just my driveway and a couple of others. I don't have strobes or flashers and since my truck is a diesel it already has two batteries. The plow is a Boss 8' Super Duty trip edge that weighs about 900#. I replaced both batteries a year ago with Wally World Maxx units, probably not the best ones made but readily available and since my better half works there I got to use the discount card for 10% off. The caps came out of a large industrial power supply.

What I was noticing was that the lights would dim when using the plow, especially if I had to cycle it a lot. This happens fairly often because what I do is on a lot smaller scale than the commercial guys. I may go 100 feet in a pass down a longer driveway but not usually that far. So I cycle the lift or angling cylinders pretty frequently and then I start seeing the lights dim when the system is under load.

I think I'll probably just go ahead with the HO alternator and see how things work out with that, maybe add a deep cycle battery if it's warranted. I figured the caps would be good for "leveling out the voltage peaks and valleys" and that seems to be backed up by the consensus here.

Thanks for all your input, that's what makes this site so good!!

 

This is why it would be beneficial for him. And you can Get Deep Cycle batteries with 800cca so the CCA is not an issue.

edit: Found these Optimas with 900CCA so im sure the CCA wont be an issue

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...questid=686045

 

The benefit of a deep cycle is for a "deep cycle" /discharge.
Our trucks or cars for that matter very rarely discharge beyond 80% of its charge capacity so there is no need for a "deep cycling" / discharge application.

 

I got what your saying now,

I was looking at this guy last month.

Ford Power Stroke 7.3L 6.0L 6.4L 6.7L Diesel Type High Output Large Case 6G Series Alternators


I was reading this awhile back also.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...uccessful.html

 

We do a lot of plowing and occasionally run into the battery going low. Upgraded the alternator on an '08 F350 V10 to 200 amps. Having trouble upgrading a '10 F350 V10 because it's a Denso alternator and we haven't found a way to boost them like the Ford alternator on the '08. Just did the '08 so can't say if this will solve our batteries going low. We do put in the strongest that Interstate sells. Thanks for any direction.