high amp alt
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Ca.
The thing with those high C.C.A. batteries is that to get all those C.C.A. 's there are more plates and are squeezed more close together, causing shorter life, cause the plates start shorting out. And about those Windstar fans -- If there's not enough clearance in front of the motor, put a pusher fan in front of radiator.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln, Ne
ok so i just finished my 3g swap and its still doing the same thing as it was. its fine when not running my lights, but when i turn on my lights my and i come up to a stop my alt guage drops way down. my belts new and not slipping and my batt is new. on a positive note when i found the 3g alt the only match was on a contour and it has the heavy guage wire and the fuse and a nifty little holder. heres a pic
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Deljac,
Your voltage goes "way down" to where???
These alternators put out more Amperage, not voltage.
There's nothing to say the alternator you pulled at a junkyard wasn't marginal too.
Everything in the truck's electrical system is able to operate in a range of 11-14V and perhaps beyond.
I think, if anything, you have a problem getting the power to your dashboard.
Adding a headlamp relay harness will take a lot of load off the headlamp switch, and the whole dash harness.
Did you swap your smaller pulley onto the 3G you picked up?
Pop the hood and turn the lights on.
Measure voltage from the hot side of the fender mounted relay to ground.
Your voltage goes "way down" to where???
These alternators put out more Amperage, not voltage.
There's nothing to say the alternator you pulled at a junkyard wasn't marginal too.
Everything in the truck's electrical system is able to operate in a range of 11-14V and perhaps beyond.
I think, if anything, you have a problem getting the power to your dashboard.
Adding a headlamp relay harness will take a lot of load off the headlamp switch, and the whole dash harness.
Did you swap your smaller pulley onto the 3G you picked up?
Pop the hood and turn the lights on.
Measure voltage from the hot side of the fender mounted relay to ground.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln, Ne
it was the same pulley as my original. and voltage is 14.2 when tested but when i tested it it was in park with everything on and my guage inside doesnt move then. its when i come up to a stop in gear the guage drops down to the low side as far as it can go. and how do i ad a headlight relay?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
From: Richmond
The 3G's can reliably put out 160A, with an upgraded rectifier.
But, you will need more belt.
At 200A they will start to have problems shedding enough heat, even with two fans.
With all that stuff you're looking to power you really should have a standalone generator like an R/V.
Let the alternator do the job it is meant for and save a bunch of money on an expensive inverter.
If you NEED to power all this with the truck's engine perhaps you should look into a PTO driven generator.
But, you will need more belt.
At 200A they will start to have problems shedding enough heat, even with two fans.
With all that stuff you're looking to power you really should have a standalone generator like an R/V.
Let the alternator do the job it is meant for and save a bunch of money on an expensive inverter.
If you NEED to power all this with the truck's engine perhaps you should look into a PTO driven generator.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
The 3G's have a fan front and rear inside the case and move a lot more air over the windings.
Water cooled alternators are for power plants, not cars.
I can't imagine that nightmare in a BMW.
I have lugged a few of those huge batteries around though...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 3
From: Conway, South Carolina
I need to replace my alternator ASAP, so I am going to get a 3g. Perfectly from the junkyard, cuz money is alittle tight. What 3G alternators will fit on my 1989 f150 5.8 serpentine brackets?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln, Ne
mine i got from a contour and i also got my fuse and wiring from the same car. it had a nice holder that i mounted by my battery. i had $20 into the whole thing
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 3
From: Conway, South Carolina
Ok. Well I called and they taold me $35 for everything. They have a 95 f150 with a 3G now, but it has the side mount hole. But If I can find another 3G alt that fits my truck, I can get the wiring off the f150.
There is some Mustangs, and crown vics there too.
Or I might just order the 3G wiring harness for RJM.
There is some Mustangs, and crown vics there too.
Or I might just order the 3G wiring harness for RJM.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln, Ne
then if i remember rite the taurus ones will work perfect for you. the only thing with the taurus is, you can get all your wire from it and the fuse but to get a fuse holder like mine you would have to search some other vehicles. all i found it on was a contour.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I know I got my longer 8 1/2" spread 3G from a 3.8 Taurus application.
The second pic up there shows the difference between a 95A, four hole 135mm truck alternator and the 130A, two hole 148mm side mount alternator from a mod motor, Crown Vic or something like that.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
From: Richmond
The 1G and 2G alternators have a single external fan on the case.
The 3G's have a fan front and rear inside the case and move a lot more air over the windings.
Water cooled alternators are for power plants, not cars.
I can't imagine that nightmare in a BMW.
I have lugged a few of those huge batteries around though...
The 3G's have a fan front and rear inside the case and move a lot more air over the windings.
Water cooled alternators are for power plants, not cars.
I can't imagine that nightmare in a BMW.
I have lugged a few of those huge batteries around though...
Thank God for Ford haha.