towing capacities/twin alternators
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From: Southeastern Wisconsin
towing capacities/twin alternators
ok i got two questions here anybody know where you can get the specs for towing capacities for your truck. I have a 1984 F-250 w/a 460 and a three speed c6 transmission i would like to know how much it can tow and haul in the bed. Second Question is I need to replace the alternator for in the winter I plow I'd like to get a really heavy duty alternator because the plow sucks tons of power and then I'm going to have strobes I also talked to a guy that has a F-350 like mine that he plow with and he said even a heavy duty alternator isn't enough. But my problem is the cost for a 150 amp alternator is bout $220 and the cost of a 100 amp alternator is $90 for my truck and I was wondering if there was a way to install 2 alternators on the motor/belts or if their are mounting brackets to do this. In doin this it could produce 200 amps for maybe $200 or 150 amps for $220.
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Proper multi Alt setup is a pain. Even with dual alts the plow still draws more power than theyy will normally put out ....IE the plow pump motor is a starter motor usually drawing an easy 250 amps. An all will have to be maxed all th time to keep up.
Check out plowsite.com and see other peoples set ups. Some run large alts, some run dual batteries for the twice the amperage.
I run a 200 amp and above idle it still drops it down to 12volts when using the pump
Check out plowsite.com and see other peoples set ups. Some run large alts, some run dual batteries for the twice the amperage.
I run a 200 amp and above idle it still drops it down to 12volts when using the pump
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Try this. I was in a battery shop and saw a station wagon or suburban with 5 or 6 heavy duty alternators mounted and belted to the engine. The back was loaded with battery's and a couple of full length helper springs. Talk about amps. He was into amateur radio and civil defense for disaster response. This was his mode of transportation and generating station. I didn't talk to him, but you may want to talk to some of these people for ideas.
sctrt
sctrt
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Go with the multiple batteries. Use an isolator, and get a 100 amp alternator. This should suffice for just about any setup you have. You are not trying to get a constant high amperage output, but burst of high output. This is where the batteries will outperform the alternators. Get high current batteries like Optima. They will work better then conventional batteries and deep cycle batteries react better to the constant charge/discharge state they will be in with heavy plowing.
For the strobes, there are several companies making strobes that draw very little current. Look for LED stobes, they draw less current then your current bulbs.
For the strobes, there are several companies making strobes that draw very little current. Look for LED stobes, they draw less current then your current bulbs.
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From: Southeastern Wisconsin
I spoke to guy that has a f350 and a 100 amp alt he says its not enough and my plow is even bigger. my dad told me that when the batteries are charged the alt will turn down to only the power the engine needs.
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From: Algona ,IOWA
On my 84 I run a 120 amp alt ,and have upgraded the feed wires to the battery and ground and use the duel battery set up the truck came with and all is well. I have an 8ft 6inch western unimount pro plow and have an 58 inch mx 7000 6 rotator halagen lightbar with alt flashers,brake and tail lights, flood lights,intersection lights and an arrow stick and have plenty of juice to get by.When you are plowing try to avoid raising the blade all the way up (unless you are at the end of a run and are stacking it) this will help keep you from draining the battery down.Blade size does not matter as most plows from the same manufacturer use the same motor in their lines.
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i forgot to mention that, if upgrading alt it would be very good idea to upgrade wires as to not burn your truck down. I go for the biggest that will handle waht i throw at. which for me that is 2/0 about .75" diam. 
don't forget a fuse slightly larger than your new alt so you don't get a short and melt your truck
don't forget a fuse slightly larger than your new alt so you don't get a short and melt your truck
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