Which alternator?
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2010
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From: Grand Rapids
Which alternator?
Just swapped out my batteries for a pair of Autocraft BCI group 65 1000ca 850cca. I have a rebuilt 87 6.9 in an 83 truck so all the wiring is for 83. I got the reccomended batteries for the 87 motor but I'm wondering if my old alternator will be up to the job of keeping them healthy. I'm not running any hydraulics or extra electrics above stock.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
As long as your alternator is working it will be fine. These trucks dont need much charging capacity since there is no EFI, fuel pump, ignition systemm, etc. Even if your alternator quits on an IDI, you can run a LONG time before the batteries get too low to keep the engine running.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2010
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From: Grand Rapids
I think my main concern is mid winter. I know the only battery power being used is to keep the fuel solenoid open when its running but I don't have a block heater so will be relying on the GPs and lots of cranking to get her started. I'm just thinking that after a few mornings of cold cranking the batteries won't be able to keep up if the alt isnt feeding them enough amps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
If you have trouble starting it in the winter, it will run the batteries down more, and once you get it started a higher output alt would recharge them faster, but as long as you dont shut the truck off and restart it every 5 minutes your alt, if working will be plenty to recharge them.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 618
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From: Grand Rapids
If you have trouble starting it in the winter, it will run the batteries down more, and once you get it started a higher output alt would recharge them faster, but as long as you dont shut the truck off and restart it every 5 minutes your alt, if working will be plenty to recharge them.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
this is an easy one.
if your worried,swap to the 3g alt.found very cheap at most any local salvage yard.don't be too concerned about buying used either,they are known for lasting.
all worries and issues resolved for ya.
i like sharing this link,whenever this comes up:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ad.php?t=26658
if i had a pre '92.5 truck/pre- serp belt,she be swapped before hitting the road.even if it was just a DD.so much better.so low cost.so easy to do.
if your worried,swap to the 3g alt.found very cheap at most any local salvage yard.don't be too concerned about buying used either,they are known for lasting.
all worries and issues resolved for ya.
i like sharing this link,whenever this comes up:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ad.php?t=26658
if i had a pre '92.5 truck/pre- serp belt,she be swapped before hitting the road.even if it was just a DD.so much better.so low cost.so easy to do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
As long as you are not just driving a couple blocks and killing it, your alt, is fine.
The 87 motor doesn't take anymore juice than the truck originally did.
I would be more concerned with the cold start wear on the motor than any electrical issues. Even at cold temps your engine should start without any excessive cranking if everything is up to snuff.
The 87 motor doesn't take anymore juice than the truck originally did.
I would be more concerned with the cold start wear on the motor than any electrical issues. Even at cold temps your engine should start without any excessive cranking if everything is up to snuff.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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if you run your batteries down to almost totally dead, the alt will take about half an hour of driving to fully recharge them, but for the average start it has them back up in maybe a minute. if you have an amperage gage, it'll tell you a lot, if the needle shows its actively charging, then the batteries aren't full yet.
regarding the 3G swap linked above, i recently did that to a friend's 68 F250 with a 360 and it worked great. only challenges were pulley fitment, wiring the idiot light, and clearance between back of alternator to head, all of which were easily fixed. i think i'll post more on that in a seperate thread
regarding the 3G swap linked above, i recently did that to a friend's 68 F250 with a 360 and it worked great. only challenges were pulley fitment, wiring the idiot light, and clearance between back of alternator to head, all of which were easily fixed. i think i'll post more on that in a seperate thread
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
So what's the "trick"?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,411
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From: Victor, MT
No my trick that i learned with the 84 was this, only works with a manual push button btw. charge the plugs for five seconds, crank for like 3-5, then charge then 2 seconds, and then it should just take right off, mine did it every time.
Once I had it running and had to shut it off....I would only push the button for about 3-5 seconds(whichever suits your fancy) and then crank and it should pop off(depending on your GP, starter and battery condition...if all are in good shape, it should just pop off)
Once I had it running and had to shut it off....I would only push the button for about 3-5 seconds(whichever suits your fancy) and then crank and it should pop off(depending on your GP, starter and battery condition...if all are in good shape, it should just pop off)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,347
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From: Mi'kma'ki
just spend the 15-30 bucks total for the 3g swap,hit the key and be on your way guys lol.no tricks required.instant powerful charge.you can jump another vehicle at idle and have them running in 2-3 minutes,and that's if their battery is pretty low.
if you only do one mod to your pre 92.5 truck,that's probably the one to do,due to the cost,time spent doing,and final drastic results.
swapping to the 3g from the old school alt,transfers your charging system just as drastically,if not more so,as adding a turbo to a n/a or hydro in place of vacuum.it's this drastic.but this ones low cost.
if you only do one mod to your pre 92.5 truck,that's probably the one to do,due to the cost,time spent doing,and final drastic results.
swapping to the 3g from the old school alt,transfers your charging system just as drastically,if not more so,as adding a turbo to a n/a or hydro in place of vacuum.it's this drastic.but this ones low cost.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids
I tested the alt and its not giving me what I want. The needle on my tester sits right between the red and green zone on my tester. Thanks to Aune163rd I will be the proud owner of a nearly new 3g 140amp soon. Thanks for all the input!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,411
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From: Victor, MT
yeahp...np. I ran 4 lights, the trailer, the truck's lights, AND ran outta fuel and drained the batteries trying to start it.....then got it started and shut it down 15 minutes later....fired right back up.
Nother story(I felt like an idiot cause i did it two nights in a row) I left the cab light, backup lights, and fog lights on ALL night....and the alt charged them both up in about an 45 minutes of idling. Then did it again the next night lol.
Nother story(I felt like an idiot cause i did it two nights in a row) I left the cab light, backup lights, and fog lights on ALL night....and the alt charged them both up in about an 45 minutes of idling. Then did it again the next night lol.
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