My 2004 F250 Powerstroke has gone through 2 alternators in 208,870 miles and three sets of batteries. Is anyone else having problems like this? Should I go with a 140 amp alternator this time? I replaced the batteries in January of this year. I use Interstate batteries not that it makes a difference what brand I just want you to know that they are not some jumped up Johnny-come-lately brand battery. Please.all.advice will be appreciated. I have been reading this post and you folks are talking about a.180 amp alternator. Some even mention 240 amp what to do, what to do. I don't know that's a lot of Jack but I am getting tired of battery/ alternator problems.

 

Those two alternators are under powered amperage for the system. A 180 amp is a minimum starting point, aside form a healthy charging system (clean cables, large enough cables, clean grounds etc). Call me crazy but 2 alternators and three sets of batteries is not bad at all in 208k miles.

Check out the DC alternators for your needs, and look into increasing the size of the important battery cables tha twill make a big difference in maintenance of the system.

 

Your usage isn't bad. A 140a with a smaller pulley should be the minimum, and for that, you don't need cables. Even with a 180a, you don't need extra cables for the alternator.

 

Thanks! I was thinking I needed more.amps.

 

I agree with the above, regardless of what alternator you buy make sure you're getting all the amps your hard earned dollars paid for. Old cables and corroded grounds and connections, will limit alternator output by quite a lot no matter how big it is.

 

All the electronics turned on in a pickup requires ~80 amps. Which means you need about 100-120a out of the alternator at idle as long as the batteries are somewhat charged up after 10 minutes.

 

I’m going on 2 years with my 140 amp alternator. Seems to handle everything just fine.

 

A lot depends on your driving style ..... Lots of short trips sure is different than lots of medium/long trips!

 

If you’re doing 5 minutes trips like I did when taking care of mom, yep. It makes a two minute difference. But as the batteries take up the charge the resistance kicks up and they drop, your AGM will accepted better. So battery type, time of drive, and all the other variables.

When I can breathe through my nose again I should finish the 230a video.

 

So the AGMs are a better "short drive" battery? Another thing I didn't get in all those battery discussions...

 

Thew initial load from the glow plugs on a cold day (in SoCal so not bad) will tax the system, especially in the really cold climates like some of you live in.

I wouldn't go less than a 180 amp, it made a big difference.

 

From what I remember, they dispense and accept charge better than the conventional lead-acid batteries.

 

If you're concerned about 2 minutes of cold start. But as in the video, the 140a needs the 58mm pulley.

 

I bought my truck with 5 year old Sears Platinum and by the time I got around to replacing them my truck was displaying symptoms of many different issues. This is with a Leece Neville 230 amp alt. I bought the Duracell Platinum AGM batteries at Batteries Plus for a great price. Charging system is A+ at any temps so far.

 

It will be with a 230a alternator, there's plenty of headroom.