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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 154
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From: Rising Star, Texas
got a Question
what is the biggest alternator u can get for a 97 powerstroke though and what is the stock amp alternator though just wondering with all my lights i have hooked up to my batteries being as i got 4 amber light bar on front, two driving lights on front, one amber light on each mirror, two 100 watt offroad lights on top and they do get used at times, and an 8 light bar on the back of the headache rack with 6 LED lights on it right now still got to put more lights on it and then the 5" bull hauler stacks thanks to RUBBERDUCK's comment about the stacks and a 3" downpipe and whats the best chip or whatever that i can get about 110 hp or more out of too, its a redneck truck, work truck and wanna be big rig too lol but its all good any help would be greatly appreciated too thanks Lance
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 41
From: Marble Falls, Texas
TRN, In my opinion you shouldn't need another alt for the amount of lights you have. All the running lights aren't gonna draw that much. The offroad lights shouldn't be that bad either. I would just leave it. But that's just my opinion. And no matter what is wrong, the bull haulers will make it all right!!!
RubberDuck
RubberDuck
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
One will work. I think mine is 200 amps. I have more lights than you. But I cannot run them all and just idle. I have to increase the rpms. Go to a parts store. You may have to change belts because the pulley is a different size. The alternator is larger also, but will fit.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
The stock alternator is 130 amp output. You can go to a alternator/starter rebuild shop and probably get that increased to 145-150 amp output. I've read that a 195/200 amp alternator will cause premature damage/replacement of the glow plugs due to the higher current. It won't happen right away, but over time it will. Maybe someone can confirm that. I've also read that in the dual alternator (ambulance) setup, the PCM controls the second alternator so it does not come on (charge) while the glow plugs are on. If you do go with a higher output alternator (200 amp) I would also recommend increasing the size of the primary alternator/battery cables. I beleive the stock cables are 4 or 6 gauge wire. I would go with at least 2 gauge. I beleive the high end/ high dollar/high output alternators usually specify or come with 2 gauge cables.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
Every ambulance I have seen has only one, and they do not have problems with premature gp failure. Although I have not looked under the hood at anything newer than 98, so anything else could have two. But in any case there is no problem with one big alternator. I just bought a 97 ambulance. I have all the maintenance records from day one. The gps had a normal failure rate. One or two a year after three years. They were all motorcraft/beru. I just changed them all.
