As I continue my quest for the maximum electronics, audio, and lighting goodies for the Expy, I realize that I will need to fortify the charging system.
Can anyone recommend a good source of higher output alternators for my truck?

 

Try: www.mralternator.com

 

How many amps do you need? I believe the Expys already have 130 amp alts. That's a lot of juice.

 

130 Amps?!
I guess I am set.

 

Yes, my Expy came with a 130 amp alternator and it's still doing just fine though I use winches, inverters, etc on a single Optima red top. 1950 watts should be enough for anyone.

 

"KC+Hella lights,Optima, & 2003 TrailLite 8263-S TT, 2 Optimas,240 watts solar power
"
I am curious, where did you stash the additional 2 Optima's? I would like to have an extra on an isolator for running the auxilary gear, but cant find a place to hide it.
Do you have any Pics? I would love to see the setup!

 

jrahn,
Sorry I confused you. One Optima in the Expy, two in the TrailLite TT(travel trailer).

There are several places you could place a small Optima, since they don't outgas and can be laid down on their sides, you can place them inside the cabin. In the left rear lower panel where the rear heater and a/c are in some models. Under the second row seats if you never have to lay them out flat for cargo. Outside in brackets that hold it in place behind the rear wheels next to the tow hitch on rear frame. and Just behind the front bumper opening in front of the radiator.

 

Sorry my signature confused you. One Optima in the Expy, two in the TrailLite TT(travel trailer).

There are several places you could place a small Optima, since they don't outgas and can be laid down on their sides, you can place them inside the cabin. In the left rear lower panel where the rear heater and a/c are in some models. Under the second row seats if you never have to lay them out flat for cargo. Outside in brackets that hold it in place behind the rear wheels next to the tow hitch on rear frame. and Just behind the front bumper opening in front of the radiator.

 

Sorry my signature confused you. One Optima in the Expy, two in the TrailLite TT(travel trailer).

 

There are several places you could place a small Optima, since they don't outgas and can be laid down on their sides, you can place them inside the cabin. In the left rear lower panel where the rear heater and a/c are in some models. Under the second row seats if you never have to lay them out flat for cargo. Outside in brackets that hold it in place behind the rear wheels next to the tow hitch on rear frame. and Just behind the front bumper opening in front of the radiator. In place of the winshield washer bottle (move it somewhere else like the other side of the engine bay.

 

jrahn thought you may want to know your stock expy altenator is
more than capable of 188 amps now i know this sounds far
fetched but over 1 year ago i had to replace the altenator in lincoln that is also rated at 130 the only differance is that the
lincoln alternator has open ears & my expeditions are closed ears
[these ears are on front & at the bottom of housing or casing ]
I work for autozone & was able to run my own arbs test before &
after install of new one [bought mine at the dealer it was cheaper
& it was in stock for the lincoln] on bad altenator i still read 90amp
this is the peak power out put, with new one no one belived me until i showed 4 other employees 196 peak amps now this is with
bright lights on, air suspension leveling,rear defroster on,a/c on,
moving drivers seat, radio on, doors open. Did the same test on my eddie bauer expedition & peak amps was not quiet so high as
my lincolns but still hit 188 amps. Autozone will have to come out
with a 130amp dura last gold which by redesign will probally put out 20 to 30 percent more amps than the factory output & that
would be about 169amps to 159amps so peak out put would be
around 200 to 203 amps on new design. But that much amperage could fry most factory wired systems.
good luck turbo ted

 

I saw people asking, so here is an example of 2 Optimas under the hood. They both fit if you remove the battery tray. If you do off-roading dont bother with this method<br><img src=http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/354000-354999/354439_141_full.jpg>

 

I put a 200 amp alt. in my truck. Got it off Ebay for like $125. Works great, considering my old one died, and the cost for a replacement 130 amp was the same. I run PIAA bulbs all around, with H4 projectors integrated into my headlamps (Lightning Style). I also run multiple amps, my laptop, and some other aftermarket goodies that can sap power. Well worth the upgrade...........

 

What do those Optima's sit on with the battery tray removed?
Did you fab up something for them, or was that not necessary?

 

Under the tray is a metal platform. The red battery sits right on the platform, underneath the yellow one the platform sinks about 1/2", I just folded up some cardboard to make the surface level. Otherwise, they are sitting free. It is a very tight space with almost no area for them to move.