Just got everything back together from my stc fitting install on my 05 6.0 and the alternator is very hot. Volts on scanguage 2 read 13.5-13.7. I havent ever touched it before but bumped it and burnt hand. Is it supposed to get that hot? Thanks.

 

they do get hot if it starts to melt terminals then thats too hot
clean the main grounds off the batts

 

The voltage looks good. I've noticed the lower the ambient temps the higher my voltage readings - up to low 14's. But they are typically anywhere between 13.5 and 13.8 during the warmer months. I've read several posts that indicate the alt gets pretty warm during normal ops. Just keep an eye on the volts.

 

Yeah my volts are good you just cant touch the alternator for more than like half a sec.

 

It might be worth loosening the belt and checking to see how free the alternator spins. You might have bearings starting to fail.

 

Mine also gets hot.

It is also good to give the belt a good tug so that you can free up or check to see if the tensioner is freely moving.

 

My 2005 excursion has an alternator that is getting extremely hot. It kills itself. Had to replace 2 one year old batteries last week because they were dead. Ran it all weekend then while driving it systems started shutting down. Radio and gauges. Replaced alternator, it got hot and killed itself. Got another one and its getting extremely hot as well but shutting it off before it kills itself.

Is there a fuse I can check? All wires, grounds, and belt tension is good.

 

The OEM 110 amp alternator runs extremely hot all of the time because it is undersized for the load it has to support. On startup the glow plugs draw 12 amps each for 96 amps for about 35 to 40 seconds. That leaves about 14 amps for the remaining loads. As the alternator reaches max capacity two things happen: the output voltage will start to fall and the unit will get extremely hot. That is the reason you have dim headlights for 30 seconds after the motor starts. My OEM would run in the low to mid 13s most of the time after startup and the glow plug cycle completes. I believe there is a 140 amp (?) reman available at Autozone or Advance but I believe they are listed for the later year 6.0s. You have to ask for it if you have an 03-04 6.0. It would help. I recently installed a DC Power XD 250 amp alternator and now I have a constant 14.2 to 14.5 VDC output about 2 seconds after startup. The glow plug 30 second on after start cycle does not affect it and no more dim headlights. Everything in my X seems to work better now.

Ed

 

Per Ed, the dinky 110 amp alternator is barely able to support the electrical system on an Excursion, especially a Diesel truck. This is why both my trucks are running the 140 Amp Super Duty alternator. While something closer to 200 amps would be better, the 140 amp units do a MUCH better job keeping the electrical system happy.

A word of caution though...

Depending on what you end up with, you may need to upgrade the regulator on the alternator to get the correct output. I'd been through 3 that couldn't and wouldn't put out more than 13.2-13.5 volts. I took the last one to an alternator rebuilder for them to go through it. They cleaned a few contacts and found that the regulator was bad. They replaced the regulator with one that had a 14.5 volt set point and I haven't had a problem since. It's something you can do in the safety and comfort of your own driveway for less than $50 if you can't swing a DC Power alternator yet.

 

In my search for a new engine I've seen some with dual alternators. Is this a mod worth looking in to?

 

Nope. Just more crap on the front of the motor.

Sent from my Telegraph using IB AutoGroup

 

No. There are 250amp alternators available to replace the OEM 110 amp alternator.


Ed

 

I have a Ford document on my computer at home for a dual alt conversion I can send you but to be honest, I can't remember if it's "from" or "to" the dual set-up.

I keep seeing the title of this thread and thinking-
Alternator very hot!!,,,And the power steering pump ain't half bad either!
(Sorry, Stoopid I know )

 

Agreed. Less clutter better equipment. Always a better thing.

Ed, on a side note: I seem to remember that you posted this previously, but don't remember, did the 250A help with your fuel pump/pressure?

 

Is this the one you're referring to Rusty?