When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 2005 ... how can I tell if I have 2 alts??? I see the one on top.. where would the second one be??? .... If I dont have it how hard is it to add on?
it would be at the bottom .dont waste your $ unless it is going to be used to run alot of heavyduty aux, equip,.if the dual alt,is not kept in use it will go bad fast.you are much better off with a high output alt, not to mention if you do not no what a dual alt, looks like or how to find it.just kidding around dont be upset.
If you dont have the dual option to begin with it is nearly impossible to add and if you do have it the load has no effect how long the second alt will last
To clarify a bit, the second alternator will be directly underneath the first... they should both be clearly visible when standing on the right side of the hood. If you can find one, you should be able to find the other if equipped.
Also, one of the pipes out of the turbo runs right by the alternators, and will have a pronounced "crimp" in it if equipped with a second alternator.
The dual alternators share the load.
On the 05 truck with the 6.0 one alt is mounted forward of the other and uses a separate drive belt.
If you’re concerned about running a large electrical load and running the batteries down, Ford provided a (BCP) battery charge protection option. Basically there is a wire behind the fuse panel that you can hook to power through a switch or even better one of the up-fitter switches and when power is applied the engine will increase idle speed based upon battery voltage. When you turn on the switch the engine will idle up to 1200 RPM (normal voltage) and speed up to a max of 2400 RPM as the voltage drops which will keep the alt output ahead of the load or until you reach the max rated output.
Check out the following Ford SVE Bulletin for more information https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q108.pdf
The BCP is also a great way to quickly warm the engine on a cold day.
My truck has them only because they were there. Surely by not loading up the system often would the second alt. go bad. If that is the case then it would fall under the category of bad design in my opinion. Then again Ford has done a few bone-head moves!
And how many have you seen fail due to lack of load ?
My 2000 F350 had them and so does my 05 and I have never had a problem but I did have to special order my truck as its fairly hard to find a truck on the lot with dual alts