Dual Alternators
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< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 768
Likes: 11
From: Fallon, Nevada
Dual Alternators
I did a search but did not really come up with the info I wanted. Going to order a new truck soon and want to know what everyones experiences are with the dual alternators. I was thinking of the HD alternator but might consider the dual setup if guys are having a positive experience with it. Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Hi, I am just here visiting from the 7.3 PSD forum.
Not many 7.3 guys have the dual alternators, but some feel the need to upgrade the amperage on the stock units or swap in an aftermarket or one from a 6.0 truck.
I had my original rebuild recently and asked if they could or should upgrade the amperage and they said that if I had no particular high amperage draw (which I don't) then a stock rebuild was just fine.
I'm sure the newer trucks have a higher amperage output than the older ones, so unless you will be installing/using heavy amperage draw items then my bet is you'll be fine with just 1 alternator.
Not many 7.3 guys have the dual alternators, but some feel the need to upgrade the amperage on the stock units or swap in an aftermarket or one from a 6.0 truck.
I had my original rebuild recently and asked if they could or should upgrade the amperage and they said that if I had no particular high amperage draw (which I don't) then a stock rebuild was just fine.
I'm sure the newer trucks have a higher amperage output than the older ones, so unless you will be installing/using heavy amperage draw items then my bet is you'll be fine with just 1 alternator.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 6
From: Waco, Texas
I have dual Alternators on my 11. The truck was used and it came that way. With all of the electrical on these trucks today, I assume it is a plus. I have had no issues in the year I have owned it. I guess if I had more Lights, winch, bigger sound system and etc, then dual alternators would be more apparent. But on the other hand, the heated seats, all of the 12v outlets, inverter, the dual alternators are probably a must to keep up with the current electrical needs and add-ons and not necessarily to charge the batteries.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I just ordered a truck too and selected the single alt. about the only thing I could think of was maybe the single alt set up might give me better mpg in the long run. I have no idea if that's true or not.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 63
From: Texas
My mech said no need unless you are running snow plows so I skipped it. I also asked before ordering.
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< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 768
Likes: 11
From: Fallon, Nevada
Thanks everyone! I'm not snowplowing and I don't think I want the supplemental cab heater(about 80 amps worth of currrent draw) either so I was just going to go with the single HD alternator...like to keep things less complicated although I might be fooling myself with that idea. Seems like less hardware and a simple serpentine belt path should be a good thing.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Annandale, VA
200a is plenty of power for my uses...even towing the trailer. I figured dual alternators doubled my chances of an accessory drive failure, made the belt more difficult to find if a replacement is needed, and made the engine bay more crowded.
I'm sure there are good uses for the extra power (320 vs 200), but I don't think many folks really need the power or redundancy.
Now....too bad we couldn't order dual 26 gallon fuel tanks!
I'm sure there are good uses for the extra power (320 vs 200), but I don't think many folks really need the power or redundancy.
Now....too bad we couldn't order dual 26 gallon fuel tanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
2011 had the HD Alt, the new one has the dual Alts. I have all the electrical goodies on the new one. Supplemental Cab Heater, heated front and rear seats that all will be used at the same time. Plus, it gets really freaking cold here in AK. And as you know batteries don't work as well in the cold... They send out less power and take more power to charge. Anyways, the new one (2015) I didn't order. I just picked it up off the showroom floor that way. Seemed like most heavily optioned trucks the order have the duals. Unlike in Miami... Where duals were hard to find. In addition I have the snow plow prep, so they may expect someone to run a plow with the truck...
FWIW, I had zero power issues with the 2011 (other than a dead 12V battery after almost 4 years) and the HD Alternator. I didn't run a whole lot of extra stuff though either.
I think it does boil down to what are going to do with the truck? And where are you? I for one, want that supplemental heater to work really good when/if I am up in Fairbanks this winter and it is -40 out.
FWIW, I had zero power issues with the 2011 (other than a dead 12V battery after almost 4 years) and the HD Alternator. I didn't run a whole lot of extra stuff though either.
I think it does boil down to what are going to do with the truck? And where are you? I for one, want that supplemental heater to work really good when/if I am up in Fairbanks this winter and it is -40 out.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 63
From: Texas
Ken, I have all of the winter stuff as well (supp heater, heated seats all around etc). Again my mech said the single HD is more than enough. I had everything mentioned in my 20-1 as well (minus heated rears as it wasn't an option then), and no issues. You did good. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
I would think if it was an issue that in order to get the Supp. heater they would require more than the HD alternator...
I think mine would be perfectly fine with a single. And I do wonder if that is why I am not getting as good a mileage as I could. (and did with the 2011). Only time will tell, because my 2015 only has 1200 miles on it right now.
And even if you were going to run a ton of lights - nowadays those are LED and they don't pull as much power as they used to. A large snow plow is a different ball game though.
On Edit: It looks like the seat heaters use a whopping 40 - 50 watts of power... So the extra 100 watts is NOTHING for the rear heated seats. At leas that is what most seat heaters I can find pull.
I think mine would be perfectly fine with a single. And I do wonder if that is why I am not getting as good a mileage as I could. (and did with the 2011). Only time will tell, because my 2015 only has 1200 miles on it right now.
And even if you were going to run a ton of lights - nowadays those are LED and they don't pull as much power as they used to. A large snow plow is a different ball game though.
On Edit: It looks like the seat heaters use a whopping 40 - 50 watts of power... So the extra 100 watts is NOTHING for the rear heated seats. At leas that is what most seat heaters I can find pull.
