dual alternaters
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nelson canada
dual alternaters
is it possible, and even practical, to mount another alternator? if i could find out how to mount it, would it give me double the charging power? i have two decent (but not in great shape) stock alternators for my '79 400. having the two of them on would give me a good out put, in theory. has anyone ever done this? or heard of it being done?
thanks
thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,531
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From: in the country
dual alternaters
It would be a real Waste of resources and effort in my opinion!!!You can buy a 140 amp--one wire alternator made by powermaster from Summit for abt 150---brand new---no exotic wiring necessary----just exchange 'em and away you go-----fd
:-X11
:-X11 
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
dual alternaters
Dual alternators are an option on the newer trucks. It won’t give you double the charging power, that’s dictated by the charging voltage which is limited in a motor vehicle. It will give you more power for other electrical stuff though. The fun part would be getting them to current share. If anyone has done it I bet mil1ion has. Usually it's a redundant system with two batteries and regulators so no isolator is needed.
Barry
Barry
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Joined: Jan 2008
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dual alternaters
They put dual alternators in Ambulances.
They are usually too busy though to have time to show you.
Maybe,Fake a heart attack and have a look when they get there.
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They are usually too busy though to have time to show you.
Maybe,Fake a heart attack and have a look when they get there.
[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Gainesville, FL
dual alternaters
Gordy,
Dueling Alternators? Is that like dueling Banjos? First one charges then the other until there is a big battle in the end, and your whole harness is fried?
Seriously, when you have two power sources, even batteries, they will push agianst one another. The weaker of the two sources ends up reversing current and this tends to be a bad thing. Diodes could solve the problem but the bottom line is to get one alternator to do the job you need. This would have been difficult ten years ago but, no longer. Today's electrical systems are so demanding that alternators are creating 400% the power they did pre-eletronic fuel ignition era.
My Way is the Highway,
KingFisher
Dueling Alternators? Is that like dueling Banjos? First one charges then the other until there is a big battle in the end, and your whole harness is fried?
Seriously, when you have two power sources, even batteries, they will push agianst one another. The weaker of the two sources ends up reversing current and this tends to be a bad thing. Diodes could solve the problem but the bottom line is to get one alternator to do the job you need. This would have been difficult ten years ago but, no longer. Today's electrical systems are so demanding that alternators are creating 400% the power they did pre-eletronic fuel ignition era.
My Way is the Highway,
KingFisher
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
dual alternaters
If you had two alternators and their voltage regulators had the exact same voltage, a 50 amp load would draw 25 amps from each alternator. A single alternator is a three phase ac device. Each phase has it's output rectified to dc by two diodes. The three outputs are connected together at the dc side. I'm trying to find the duty cycle rating of a typical alternator. A 100 amp unit is not able to put out 100 amps constantly. I've had answers from 30 to 70%. I mounted 4 alternators on a 8hp engine. I'm going to build one voltage regulator to drive all 4. Will use as a power supply for mig welding. 
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: orlando usa
dual alternaters
just buy ONE mean green brand alt. they put out 300 amps i was looking at em on there website but the price is kinda steep 300 bux but if you want it go for it i forgot the name of the site but i know they have one that will fit your truck look around on the net u will find one i was think about doin gthe sma ething you wanted to do with 2 alts. but i was gonna use one to charge an extra battery for a stereo system
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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dual alternaters
These new smaller frame but high output alternators are doing it by using more efficient diodes but they do not have the duty cycle of the old alternators. The old larger frame 70-80's alternators would recharge a dead battery. The new small frame ~90's-up high output alternators will burn out if you try to charge a dead battery.
The new style replacement units have warnings about making certain the battery is charged b4 replacement. The new units do not have the heat sinks or thermal mass to have a very good duty cycle at their inflated ratings. I doubt if the OEM's are interested in publishing their duty cycles.
The new style replacement units have warnings about making certain the battery is charged b4 replacement. The new units do not have the heat sinks or thermal mass to have a very good duty cycle at their inflated ratings. I doubt if the OEM's are interested in publishing their duty cycles.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 28
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From: Nelson canada
dual alternaters
ok wow that was a lot of information. more than i know what to do with. one thing thats very interesting is the duty cycle point. so even though new alts can put out 300 amps, they cant do it for long or charge a dead battery. interesting. so i guess the biggest problem with this is figuring out how to stop the 2 alts from working against eachother? thanks for your help guys, i'm gonna check it out on an ambulance! (they come into work all the time, and i have to check the oil) thanks again
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
dual alternaters
The ambulance probably has some sort of "reverse" battery isolator. Each alternator would have to have it's own regulator sensing the output voltage from that alternator. Current sharing would be another matter. The old generators had regulators with current sensing but from my books alternators do not have any current regulation. So if you have a bunch of old generators that work...
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 33
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From: Newport USA
dual alternaters
I hate to say it, but go to the news stand and buy you one of the mag's that deal with the stereo on wheels(low rider, etc.) These guys run as many as 4 alternators and more batt. then we know what to do with. There is advertisiments in them for connecting more then on alt.
Me_Bad_Dog(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
74 F-250 4X4
In process of rebuilding
460cid
np435
np205 devorced
looking for dana 60 open knockle front
Me_Bad_Dog(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
74 F-250 4X4
In process of rebuilding
460cid
np435
np205 devorced
looking for dana 60 open knockle front
