Alternator Woes
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Full time RVer
Alternator Woes
So I have been chasing a problem with the truck. If I move the plow around too much with the lights and heater on I wind up killing the battery.
Finally got a load test done and the alternator has bad diods.
it is a stock Xl with no options except the plow and AC I believe the stock alternator is a 110amp I am looking at the 130amp from NAPA. Does anyone have any opinions on this? It should fit?
Thanks
G
Finally got a load test done and the alternator has bad diods.
it is a stock Xl with no options except the plow and AC I believe the stock alternator is a 110amp I am looking at the 130amp from NAPA. Does anyone have any opinions on this? It should fit?
Thanks
G
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Northeast NE
glennemay just having a 100% alternator will help. Do you have more information on model year, engine, (this will determine single or dual battery setup), I too have been thinking on alternator upgrade just haven't jumped on it yet. Let us know what you did and how it turned out.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Full time RVer
glennemay just having a 100% alternator will help. Do you have more information on model year, engine, (this will determine single or dual battery setup), I too have been thinking on alternator upgrade just haven't jumped on it yet. Let us know what you did and how it turned out.
The truck is a 2004 6.8l V10 Crew cab F350 DRW 8' bed. It is an XL model with only AC as an option (Florida Truck)
I went ahead and popped the new alternator in it tonight and treated her to a brand new belt.
Defintely see an increase in voltage on the OBD. EXCEPT. When I whack around the plow, I still drop to 11.2v. WTF!!!
Anyone know if there is a way to determine what a Fisher MM1 plow is drawing?
Thanks
G
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
You are going to get voltage drop when you put a good sized load on the system. Also keep in mind, at idle the alternator is not putting out its maximum. Also if you did not replace the battery at least throw the old one on the battery charger to make sure it is charged up.
The 04' trucks were offered with two alternators. The 6G small case and the 3G large case. The 3G puts out more and is capable of higher output with upgrades. I rebuild my own alternators but places like alternatorparts.com sell upgraded alternators with amp output up to over double stock.
The 04' trucks were offered with two alternators. The 6G small case and the 3G large case. The 3G puts out more and is capable of higher output with upgrades. I rebuild my own alternators but places like alternatorparts.com sell upgraded alternators with amp output up to over double stock.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Full time RVer
You are going to get voltage drop when you put a good sized load on the system. Also keep in mind, at idle the alternator is not putting out its maximum. Also if you did not replace the battery at least throw the old one on the battery charger to make sure it is charged up.
The 04' trucks were offered with two alternators. The 6G small case and the 3G large case. The 3G puts out more and is capable of higher output with upgrades. I rebuild my own alternators but places like alternatorparts.com sell upgraded alternators with amp output up to over double stock.
The 04' trucks were offered with two alternators. The 6G small case and the 3G large case. The 3G puts out more and is capable of higher output with upgrades. I rebuild my own alternators but places like alternatorparts.com sell upgraded alternators with amp output up to over double stock.
I would like to know if the plow is pulling what should be, or more however. Since it is an electric motor, anything is possible of course.
G
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Getting a larger battery or adding a second battery will help also. Think of it this way, when you are not moving the plow, the alternator is putting out current which is stored in the battery. If the battery is fully charged, the current being produced has nowhere to go. When you do something that demands current, the battery takes most of the load. The alternator will contribute what it can, but it is the battery that stores the energy and releases it when needed.
Basically, get a bigger storage tank so you can hold more power. It will be available when you need it.
Also, it is vitally important to closely inspect the connections to your battery, grounds, and the electrical connections to your plow. If there is any sign of dirty or corroded connections, fix them. A bad connection anywhere in the circuit can easily double the electrical load of a device.
Basically, get a bigger storage tank so you can hold more power. It will be available when you need it.
Also, it is vitally important to closely inspect the connections to your battery, grounds, and the electrical connections to your plow. If there is any sign of dirty or corroded connections, fix them. A bad connection anywhere in the circuit can easily double the electrical load of a device.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
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the diodes are blowing due to peak start up loads . Putting in a second battery helps with peak startup loads. 2 batteries will help with the peak load and charge when the load is off peak.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Full time RVer
Getting a larger battery or adding a second battery will help also. Think of it this way, when you are not moving the plow, the alternator is putting out current which is stored in the battery. If the battery is fully charged, the current being produced has nowhere to go. When you do something that demands current, the battery takes most of the load. The alternator will contribute what it can, but it is the battery that stores the energy and releases it when needed.
Basically, get a bigger storage tank so you can hold more power. It will be available when you need it.
Also, it is vitally important to closely inspect the connections to your battery, grounds, and the electrical connections to your plow. If there is any sign of dirty or corroded connections, fix them. A bad connection anywhere in the circuit can easily double the electrical load of a device.
Basically, get a bigger storage tank so you can hold more power. It will be available when you need it.
Also, it is vitally important to closely inspect the connections to your battery, grounds, and the electrical connections to your plow. If there is any sign of dirty or corroded connections, fix them. A bad connection anywhere in the circuit can easily double the electrical load of a device.
it makes sense to me. I had been considering the second battery for some time, although it really only gets bad when the plow is on. otherwise it is pretty decent.
I have cleaned up the connections. Although they looked OK (Albeit they had some corrosion on them) I will do some more to clean at them
Is there a brush made that will clean the male and female ends of these plugs?
I will have a chance to see it better in the daylight tomorrow morning no matter how I slice this. Everything I do is in the dark due to work.
If anyone has a good place to put the second battery in the Truck that would be awesome. For a big truck, I have no damn room under the hood.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Full time RVer
News to me. I didnt realize that is what causes the Diodes to blow. I suppose I should go ahead and get the second battery in ASAP.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Thank You.
it makes sense to me. I had been considering the second battery for some time, although it really only gets bad when the plow is on. otherwise it is pretty decent.
I have cleaned up the connections. Although they looked OK (Albeit they had some corrosion on them) I will do some more to clean at them
Is there a brush made that will clean the male and female ends of these plugs?
I will have a chance to see it better in the daylight tomorrow morning no matter how I slice this. Everything I do is in the dark due to work.
If anyone has a good place to put the second battery in the Truck that would be awesome. For a big truck, I have no damn room under the hood.
it makes sense to me. I had been considering the second battery for some time, although it really only gets bad when the plow is on. otherwise it is pretty decent.
I have cleaned up the connections. Although they looked OK (Albeit they had some corrosion on them) I will do some more to clean at them
Is there a brush made that will clean the male and female ends of these plugs?
I will have a chance to see it better in the daylight tomorrow morning no matter how I slice this. Everything I do is in the dark due to work.
If anyone has a good place to put the second battery in the Truck that would be awesome. For a big truck, I have no damn room under the hood.
Here is a dual battery kit for the SD. Dirty Parts
A battery would fit next to the air filter assembly on the drivers side if the evap canister is moved.
Just don't do what this guy did and remove the evap canister, it is there for a reason. http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=74448
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
What is the factory option, for a dual battery setup?
Is it available?
I have a factory dual battery in my E-350 and the battery box is hidden under the passenger side rear, by the frame.
Not so easy to get to.
Is it available?
I have a factory dual battery in my E-350 and the battery box is hidden under the passenger side rear, by the frame.
Not so easy to get to.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Full time RVer
Just don't do what this guy did and remove the evap canister, it is there for a reason. http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=74448
I had one on my old Ranger (1983) that was rotted completely off Truck was still an ox for it's size and never seemed to miss it.
Of course I was 18. Not sure if I really cared. lol
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Diesel trucks have 2 batteries stock
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 21
So,
The truck is a 2004 6.8l V10 Crew cab F350 DRW 8' bed. It is an XL model with only AC as an option (Florida Truck)
I went ahead and popped the new alternator in it tonight and treated her to a brand new belt.
Defintely see an increase in voltage on the OBD. EXCEPT. When I whack around the plow, I still drop to 11.2v. WTF!!!
Anyone know if there is a way to determine what a Fisher MM1 plow is drawing?
Thanks
G
The truck is a 2004 6.8l V10 Crew cab F350 DRW 8' bed. It is an XL model with only AC as an option (Florida Truck)
I went ahead and popped the new alternator in it tonight and treated her to a brand new belt.
Defintely see an increase in voltage on the OBD. EXCEPT. When I whack around the plow, I still drop to 11.2v. WTF!!!
Anyone know if there is a way to determine what a Fisher MM1 plow is drawing?
Thanks
G
DC power makes some high amp alternators for our trucks.
.