dual alternators
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dual alternators
Dual alternators in the 6.0 PSD F250.
What are the pro's and con's?
It's a $285 option and I'm not sure why I want it.
I don't run huge stereos or KC lights anymore on my truck but you never know when I might relapse.
What are the pro's and con's?
It's a $285 option and I'm not sure why I want it.
I don't run huge stereos or KC lights anymore on my truck but you never know when I might relapse.
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Do you run a snow plow or winch ( Not you better half )?
I'd love to have the option of dual alternators. I'd then run dual batteries to power my lifts and dvd systems etc... and what ever else I might want to run.... Blender, heater
Just a thought
Big Mick
I'd love to have the option of dual alternators. I'd then run dual batteries to power my lifts and dvd systems etc... and what ever else I might want to run.... Blender, heater
Just a thought
Big Mick
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From: Dayton, OH
A lot of people that tow campers like to charge the camper batteries while traveling. The times I've moved my fith wheel I've noticed that my aftermarket ampmeter dips pretty low into the red during the charge. I neglected the second alternator option and have regretted it every day.
You may not realize it but just a few powered accessories and/or lights can put you over your power limits.
You may not realize it but just a few powered accessories and/or lights can put you over your power limits.
Last edited by Jlower; Nov 18, 2003 at 12:46 PM.
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The fleet dept is doing a search right now, and if something comes up close to what I want I'll probably get it in two weeks. I'm thinking that truck probably won't have the dual alternators, as I don't think many of the 'camper packages' do.
Is it hard to add on later?
If I end up ordering it and waiting, I'll definitely order the dual alternators then.
Thanks everyone for cluing me in.
Is it hard to add on later?
If I end up ordering it and waiting, I'll definitely order the dual alternators then.
Thanks everyone for cluing me in.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
I would check into a high capacity alternator. I don't know why our Fords are stuck with cheesy 70 to 90 amp alternators(at least I think). Heck my chebby car has a 150amp standard.
There are aftermarket alternators for Fords that approach what my chebby came stock with. I even think JC Whitney has some.
Jim Henderson
There are aftermarket alternators for Fords that approach what my chebby came stock with. I even think JC Whitney has some.
Jim Henderson
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From: Dayton, OH
I've found the remedy to my power (or lack there of) restraint.
You have two options for this.
A. Replace your alternator with a high output version.
B. Buy the second alternator. It has a plug that slips right into an existing connector. Don't ask me where, I went with the first option. Also, I think you have to have a certain arraignment on which alternator produces the higher load. But don't quote me on that.
You have two options for this.
A. Replace your alternator with a high output version.
B. Buy the second alternator. It has a plug that slips right into an existing connector. Don't ask me where, I went with the first option. Also, I think you have to have a certain arraignment on which alternator produces the higher load. But don't quote me on that.
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I went ahead and ordered it today with the dual alternators. I think my cost was $160 so not really a big deal.
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From: Colorado
1. with one alternator doing the charging is a swich or relay necessary to charge camper batterys while on the road?
or
2. Can the FMC alternator charge three or four battery's at one time (the two under the hood and one in the camper) - or would an upgrade to a higher output alternator be necessary for this?
or
2. Can the FMC alternator charge three or four battery's at one time (the two under the hood and one in the camper) - or would an upgrade to a higher output alternator be necessary for this?
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From: Dayton, OH
Most trailers can either pull charging power through the bake light connections or through a set that connects up by the goose or fifth hitch. They should shut themselves off once charging is complete. If they don't then they will definantly pull next to nothing once thay are fully charged.
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From: Colorado
ok..., so I have a picture in my head of my truck with a slide-in camper having a couple of it's own battery's recharging off the braks light connector - right?
So doesn't that men my truck wants to start and run using four battery's, two of which were drawn down last night powering electrics in the camper?
So doesn't that men my truck wants to start and run using four battery's, two of which were drawn down last night powering electrics in the camper?
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From: Texas
battery charging
The 250/350s usually come with the 7-pole trailer connector below the rear bumper. One of the poles is a hot line to charge the batteries on a trailer, it is separate from the brake and running lights poles.
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From: Colorado
ah! OK. I understand that now. But, as long as we are on that subject, is that connector the only point on the harness where you can plug in a slide-in? Is there a point somewhere under the bed or on the frame around the back of the cab where you can access this harness if your camper pigtail come out the front and you want to go into one of those rubber grommet points on the front wall of the truck bed. Those rubber grommets are there for some reason & I had thought it might be a good access point for under the bed hook-up of some kind?
I guess I'm trying to cover all the bases; having a slide-in and pulling a trailer both of which need electric connectors. This discussion also helps me understand what the possibilities might be that I can manage with my truck.
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From: Texas
renaissanceman...
First, if you need to keep 4 batteries charged, a single factory alternator will come up short. If you didn't get the dual alts, you will have to watch the charge state of all batteries real close to see how it holds up--and consider an upgrade alternator to about 200 amp.
I am not familiar with slide-ins, only that the ones I see must have a connector that is NOT plugged in to the bumper plug, sort of like a fifth wheel would have.
There are adapters that will tie into the wiring at a connection point under the frame--any parts store will have a variety of them--but I'm not smart enough to say that you can tie in with an adapter AND use the bumper plug also. Sounds like a job for an RV dealer.
I do have experience trying to keep one vehicle battery up and 2 trailer batteries--hard to do unless you drive a lot and don't use any accessories. Does your camper have a converter/charger combo? If so, tieing in to shore power every 2-3 days will help.
And use deep cycle batteries on everything except the truck.
First, if you need to keep 4 batteries charged, a single factory alternator will come up short. If you didn't get the dual alts, you will have to watch the charge state of all batteries real close to see how it holds up--and consider an upgrade alternator to about 200 amp.
I am not familiar with slide-ins, only that the ones I see must have a connector that is NOT plugged in to the bumper plug, sort of like a fifth wheel would have.
There are adapters that will tie into the wiring at a connection point under the frame--any parts store will have a variety of them--but I'm not smart enough to say that you can tie in with an adapter AND use the bumper plug also. Sounds like a job for an RV dealer.
I do have experience trying to keep one vehicle battery up and 2 trailer batteries--hard to do unless you drive a lot and don't use any accessories. Does your camper have a converter/charger combo? If so, tieing in to shore power every 2-3 days will help.
And use deep cycle batteries on everything except the truck.
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From: Colorado
sounds like solid advise tblue, and I thought there must be some place else to plug in the camper than the back bumper - my local service manager nothwithstanding. Since my truck in in the shop (
SOB) I don't have the owners book to search for this info - maybe a trip to an RV dealer will help. I do not have the camper yet so options like a converter aren't part of the equasion either, but it's something to think about when I go shopping. Alternatively, I understand Honda makes a knock-out little generator that will keep things warm and charged in really cold weather (
wonder if there is a diesel model .... or maybe propane fired?)
I'm begining to sense that the one flaw in my ordering this truck was not ordering the extra alternator. For only a few bucks I could have had one. Now I'm faced with a retrofit if keeping battery's topped off become's an issue.
:
SOB) I don't have the owners book to search for this info - maybe a trip to an RV dealer will help. I do not have the camper yet so options like a converter aren't part of the equasion either, but it's something to think about when I go shopping. Alternatively, I understand Honda makes a knock-out little generator that will keep things warm and charged in really cold weather ( wonder if there is a diesel model .... or maybe propane fired?)I'm begining to sense that the one flaw in my ordering this truck was not ordering the extra alternator. For only a few bucks I could have had one. Now I'm faced with a retrofit if keeping battery's topped off become's an issue.
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