Dual alternator question.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Dual alternator question.
I ordered my 6.7 literally with everything...including the 2 alternators....will they charge my airstream batteries while towing?
I believe the purpose of them is for things like amps and fog lights..etc not or charging batteries while hooked up.
Hat do you us say?
Shane
I believe the purpose of them is for things like amps and fog lights..etc not or charging batteries while hooked up.
Hat do you us say?
Shane
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I have the dual alternators as well. They can handle a lot more than just amps and fog lights. There is a switched battery terminal on the bargman 7-pin trailer connector that allows for charging of the trailer battery. It doesn't matter if you have dual alternators or not. So if you're hooked up properly, the answer is "yes".
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
-los341
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From: Manassas, VA
Matters what you mean by trailer batteries. The normal 7-pin provides power to charge, but it is up to the circuitry in the trailer in how it is used. It will almost always charge the emergency brake battery, but you need the trailer wired with a module capable of charging the main batteries to get charging on them.
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Cross-Country
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You shouldn't need dual alt to charge your trailer battery (s) while going down the road. My RV only has one Alt and it's capable charging both chassis and house battery going the down the road. Ideally, you should install a battery isolator in the charging circuit, in case you have a power drain in the trailer while the truck engine is turn off, you won't end up with dead truck battery(s).
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From: BC Canada
The 7 pin connector is only powered when the truck is running. Your dual alternators only run one at a time according to voltage they sense, they will switch between one and the other until all batteries in curcuit are charged. Also, the charge wire to the trailer batts is only 1 gauge, it's not charging the amount put through to the main batteries n the truck.
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From: K.C. MO
Posting Guru
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From: Whitecourt AB, Canada
Check out Ford Bulletin Q160-R1 for some insight on the single/dual alternator setup on the 6.7L
Voltages are the same everywhere in the system. The dual onboard batteries have the same voltage (and maybe some drop across the tie cables but they are very close to 0 ohms).
The PCM controls the field coils in both alts to try to load balance as required due to the dissimilar ratings of both units but it's not really that precise, the control to the field coil operates in steps and is not continuously variable.
Voltages are the same everywhere in the system. The dual onboard batteries have the same voltage (and maybe some drop across the tie cables but they are very close to 0 ohms).
The PCM controls the field coils in both alts to try to load balance as required due to the dissimilar ratings of both units but it's not really that precise, the control to the field coil operates in steps and is not continuously variable.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
The 7 pin connector is only powered when the truck is running. Your dual alternators only run one at a time according to voltage they sense, they will switch between one and the other until all batteries in curcuit are charged. Also, the charge wire to the trailer batts is only 1 gauge, it's not charging the amount put through to the main batteries n the truck.
So apparently the secondary alternator is only used when needed, but when it is needed, both alternators are used simultaneously.
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From: BC Canada
IIRC I believe at the GEM actually cycles both alternately over some time to balance load across each over time and to balance heat load. I read this somewhere on here from older threads and I doubt it has changed with model years. I think its possible it can run both under certain condition but it seems these conditions would be less frequent like after starting and discharged trailer batts all would cause the max output needed. normally, cycling between alts to manage duty cycle, so one doesn't die first.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
IIRC I believe at the GEM actually cycles both alternately over some time to balance load across each over time and to balance heat load. I read this somewhere on here from older threads and I doubt it has changed with model years. I think its possible it can run both under certain condition but it seems these conditions would be less frequent like after starting and discharged trailer batts all would cause the max output needed. normally, cycling between alts to manage duty cycle, so one doesn't die first.
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