Alternator output
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
Alternator output
<p>Today I changed out my thermostat and when i finished installing it i started it up to let her get up to temp to check for leaks and decided to do some amp and volt readings and here is what I found. At cold idle after the glow plugs shut off the amps were at 50, then I turned the headlights,fog lights, heater blower to high and turned on the driver side seat heater on and the amp output jumped to 90 and the battery volts were 13.8 as measured at the battery terminals, well slowly as the truck was getting warmer the alternator output eventually dropped to around 69 amps and the battery voltage was slowly dropping and every now and then I would hear a click and the alternator output would jump from 69 to 72, it did this several times. When I shut all of the accessories off the amps dropped to 50 and the system volts returned to 14. So I'm guessing with all of the accessories running the system demand is somewhere north of 72 amps, which isn't good when the alternator when hot won't put out more than that at idle. I'm not really sure what the point of all this is other than to share what I found with the testing.</p>
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: LEWISVILLE,Texas
Oh ok got ya... I replaced mine with one i amped up
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Fraser Valley
Ideally the truck should be able to match all load at idle, but the reasoning behind it is that you don't idle all day and driving will make up for the times your idling.
With how much these trucks rely on strong electricals especially the ficm upgrading is nearly a necessity!
With how much these trucks rely on strong electricals especially the ficm upgrading is nearly a necessity!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
I normally don't idle much but on this last snow storm we had it took me 4 hours to travel 7 miles because the idiots in Utah forget how to drive every winter, and while sitting in this traffic jam that I couldn't get out of my system voltage was in the mid 12's. The only time previously I would see volts that low is while the glow plugs are on and when they shut off it pops back up to high 13's. So it just made me curious what the alternator was doing at idle. This 110 AMP ford alternator is only 6 months old and I don't think its cutting the mustard, so needless to say when funds permit I am gonna get a DC power 185.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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I think just adding an overdrive pulley would help the factory alternator.
It isn't the best solution to the problem, but at least a cheap alternative until funds free up for an aftermarket alternator.
Josh
It isn't the best solution to the problem, but at least a cheap alternative until funds free up for an aftermarket alternator.
Josh
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Joined: Aug 2001
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But somewhat understandable. A Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan on high speed, for example, alone will draw 90 amps.
Josh
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
How long after starting is that?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Right, but how long after cranking was that?
I finally got my hall effect clamp attachment for my Fluke 289. I should log the current draw with my 270amp alternator and try tossing the stock one back on and see what it does...
I finally got my hall effect clamp attachment for my Fluke 289. I should log the current draw with my 270amp alternator and try tossing the stock one back on and see what it does...