Hey guys. I did some work on a guys truck and he gave me all the parts pullys wiring piping and shroud for a dual alternator set up on my truck. My question is can I just put it all in and it will work or is it more than that ? I have searched and searched but come up with conflicting information. I found the single alt conversion very easy and that's what I did to his truck. Worked fine but now to put his stuff on my truck I'm having a hard time. i want to swap to the dual set up for my fifth wheel and just to have the extra amperage if needed. For a free swap I figure why not.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

I believe you need to have the second alternator "turned on" in the PCM by a dealer.

 

Not really all that hard But there is a BUT.
You can't just stuff it in. 3 things need changed. First one easy
You pull the jumper out and plug the second alternator harness in.
Not the BUT part. You need to change one of the A/C lines and your
going to need the Hot Side CAC pipe from a dual system. With the
dual in the truck there needs to be a bit more room for the second
alternator and that is why the A/C and the CAC pipe change.

As I under stand it by removing that jumper that tells the PCM
there is now a dual system. So no programing needed. You just
have to recharge the A/C after pulling a vacuum and checking for leaks.

Why do you want to go to a dual system anyway? I think you will
find it less work to just change one alternator if it starts going out
on you. Give Ed a call at FICMRepair.com - FORD Powerstroke 6.0 FICM Repair, PHP Tuning and Truck Parts
He can get you a nice one. And if your after power output he can get
a high amp unit.



Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder

 

The only reason really is because I literally have all the parts except the ac line didn't think about that one but the cac tube and wiring, brackets , idler pullys, fan shroud crank pully , belt. I honestley don't need it but I have it and if it's just a matter of bolting it on my thought was why not .... I have no issues right now but I think it would just be nice to have the dualls hooked up to the fifth wheel. The single is probably adequate but not sure

 

Personally for simplicity I'd rather have a 140 single than the dual system. Your choice however.

 

Or a Leece Neville 230 amper would be my suggestion. Which is what I just picked up. Less complicated too. Add a driver side 1/0 ground to block. 4/0 from alt to passenger side battery (with fuse) and you're done! more than enough

 

You don't necessarily need the CAC tube. You could dimple a stock one. Actually it doesn't need as much room as they give it. The nice thing with duals is when (yes when) the main upper alternator craps out the lower will kick in. Also if you have an increased load like jumping someone or running a winch it won't over tax the main. Personally on a truck that is used as a truck and not just a bebop around town commuter truck, it's a nice addition.

 

I agree a large amperage single would be nice but the difference is this set up is free sitting on my bench and its a lot of parts l..... And this is really just my tow truck for the trailer I have another that is the commuter for work so I really don't need the set up I just feel that I will have a benefit if I install it down the road

 

I had looked into doing it till I ran into the A/C line issue.



Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder

 

I have a feeling that will be my case as well. I emagine I could sell the set up for enough to buy the high output single

 

did you ever install dual alternator setup

 

Correct once enabled the PCM bounces between alternators to turn and off. Most of the ambulances had this package. I ended up with one as well and opted against it.

 

Duals come on my E450s, and I just took a set up off the ambulance I'm scrapping, if anyone wants it. If they provide fail-over protection, that would be a big advantage. I'm not sure how I could tell one was not working though, until both weren't working.