Power Master alternators
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,277
Likes: 1,414
From: Lake Stevens, WA
I was trying to find a good price on one to try out, but no luck so far. Considering the 6.0 Bosch at the moment because I only need 110-135A. It looks like the 48478 is a 200A unit. Anyone find a smaller output one?
Powermaster 48478 Powermaster Race Alternators | Summit Racing
Powermaster 48478 Powermaster Race Alternators | Summit Racing
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,277
Likes: 1,414
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Ok, that helps. Still priced a bit high. I see a 120A version on Thoroughbred's site, 7796, for $254. Still high relative to a Bosch 6.0 AL7606N.
Powermaster 47796 Heavy Duty 155 AMP Alternator 1999-2003 7.3L Ford Powerstroke | Thoroughbred Diesel
Noted Rockauto has a "Famous Brand" wholesale closeout alternator with a similar part number as that Powermaster 120A version, 7796A reman, for $74.99.
Powermaster 47796 Heavy Duty 155 AMP Alternator 1999-2003 7.3L Ford Powerstroke | Thoroughbred Diesel
Noted Rockauto has a "Famous Brand" wholesale closeout alternator with a similar part number as that Powermaster 120A version, 7796A reman, for $74.99.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 212
Likes: 44
Im running the bosch. Used a large file to modify the alt bracket.
It gets a beating with the short commute and cold winters, and i use cheap batteries. Seems to be holding up but is also only a year old (survived basically 2 winters though). Unless you are running something like a winch, it keeps the voltages safe (around 11.7v after a fesh cold start) for the glow plugs, and offers a little more jam when above idle. I used the pulley it came with, but i know some switch the pulley.
It gets a beating with the short commute and cold winters, and i use cheap batteries. Seems to be holding up but is also only a year old (survived basically 2 winters though). Unless you are running something like a winch, it keeps the voltages safe (around 11.7v after a fesh cold start) for the glow plugs, and offers a little more jam when above idle. I used the pulley it came with, but i know some switch the pulley.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2022
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: Oologah, OK
you have to tell MechMan which motor you have.
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Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,277
Likes: 1,414
From: Lake Stevens, WA
I was planning to use the extra capacity from the dual OEM alternators on my rig to charge the trailer battery bank through larger gauge wires and a DC to DC converter.
Like you said, the extra capacity is not needed in many applications where there’s enough time to bring the batteries back up after starting,or the loads are not over the alternators capacity for very long. Funny, I thought plowing, especially at night with the extra lights and hydraulics, might benefit from extra alternator capacity.
Interested to hear how others are using the additional amps.
Like you said, the extra capacity is not needed in many applications where there’s enough time to bring the batteries back up after starting,or the loads are not over the alternators capacity for very long. Funny, I thought plowing, especially at night with the extra lights and hydraulics, might benefit from extra alternator capacity.
Interested to hear how others are using the additional amps.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 303
Likes: 242
From: Brighton, IL
Like Brokestroke, I use a 17,500 lb winch (which by the way all electric DC winches have a duty cycle) lot of light accessorie, and a DC to DC charger…… my 110A OEM alternator does the job nicely.
Even running extra amperage will not necessarily make a DC to DC charger run at full capacity. There are other variable and safeguards designed into the charger by the manufacturers, amount of external heat, air flow of the heat sink, phase of charging, wire resistance (incoming voltage - not amps), etc. that effect at how many amps it charges the house battery with.
And then there’s the Ford engineered issue of glowplug reliability and why they specified the 110A alternators on our 7.3 trucks, which goes way down the rabbit hole.
Even running extra amperage will not necessarily make a DC to DC charger run at full capacity. There are other variable and safeguards designed into the charger by the manufacturers, amount of external heat, air flow of the heat sink, phase of charging, wire resistance (incoming voltage - not amps), etc. that effect at how many amps it charges the house battery with.
And then there’s the Ford engineered issue of glowplug reliability and why they specified the 110A alternators on our 7.3 trucks, which goes way down the rabbit hole.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 536
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
I do not recall which Bosch I have but it's drop in and has worked extremely well for the past 12 yrs. I did run a 400A Mechman for nearly a yr until it failed. It was covered under warranty and I haven't reinstalled it yet.
I just swapped out to smaller injectors and tested my glow plugs, they are still great; so signs of issues and ohm out to 0.5 ohms. I did not change how I start my truck as John does. It does crank slightly longer to start compared to using the bosch for whatever reason. Glow plugs have been installed for the past 3-4 yrs.
The thing about aftermarket alt's is the ability to have higher amperage output at idle. OEM/ bosch is very limited unless idled up.
I'd like to think Powermaster, Mechman, and Leece Neville would all be great choices for upgraded options. Otherwise Bosch is extremely reliable
I just swapped out to smaller injectors and tested my glow plugs, they are still great; so signs of issues and ohm out to 0.5 ohms. I did not change how I start my truck as John does. It does crank slightly longer to start compared to using the bosch for whatever reason. Glow plugs have been installed for the past 3-4 yrs.
The thing about aftermarket alt's is the ability to have higher amperage output at idle. OEM/ bosch is very limited unless idled up.
I'd like to think Powermaster, Mechman, and Leece Neville would all be great choices for upgraded options. Otherwise Bosch is extremely reliable
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 303
Likes: 242
From: Brighton, IL
I do not recall which Bosch I have but it's drop in and has worked extremely well for the past 12 yrs. I did run a 400A Mechman for nearly a yr until it failed. It was covered under warranty and I haven't reinstalled it yet.
I just swapped out to smaller injectors and tested my glow plugs, they are still great; so signs of issues and ohm out to 0.5 ohms. I did not change how I start my truck as John does. It does crank slightly longer to start compared to using the bosch for whatever reason. Glow plugs have been installed for the past 3-4 yrs.
The thing about aftermarket alt's is the ability to have higher amperage output at idle. OEM/ bosch is very limited unless idled up.
I'd like to think Powermaster, Mechman, and Leece Neville would all be great choices for upgraded options. Otherwise Bosch is extremely reliable
I just swapped out to smaller injectors and tested my glow plugs, they are still great; so signs of issues and ohm out to 0.5 ohms. I did not change how I start my truck as John does. It does crank slightly longer to start compared to using the bosch for whatever reason. Glow plugs have been installed for the past 3-4 yrs.
The thing about aftermarket alt's is the ability to have higher amperage output at idle. OEM/ bosch is very limited unless idled up.
I'd like to think Powermaster, Mechman, and Leece Neville would all be great choices for upgraded options. Otherwise Bosch is extremely reliable
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