voltage dropping

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 16, 2007 | 12:56 PM

highboy390fe

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 465

Likes: 0

voltage dropping

I have a 1998 e250 with a 5.4 180,000 miles on it. The alternator crapped out the other day so i replace it and no when i pull my 16' enclosed trailer The voltage drops big time and will kill the batteries and there i sit stranded i even went as far as trying a another new alternator and new battery and still does the same thing is there somthing else i should try? Thanks

Apr 16, 2007 | 01:09 PM

wtroger

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 3,208

Likes: 13

Unless you went with a really crappie barnd of alternator I would suspect a problem with the trailer wiring. You should have at least the 135 amp alternator on there you need to check and see that you have at lleast as big an alternator as the orginal. The rule is you can go bigger (amperage wise) but never smaller.

Apr 16, 2007 | 01:44 PM

highboy390fe

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 465

Likes: 0

I put on a 130 amp alternator and the stock one was supposed to be a 95 amp because it doesnt have power windows or anything.

Apr 16, 2007 | 04:27 PM

Clubwagon

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 2,182

Likes: 7

From: Saint Augustine, FL

I would suspect the new alternator is bad. Common for cheapie alternators to be bad right out of the box if not go bad withing days/weeks.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

Apr 16, 2007 | 09:07 PM

wtroger

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 3,208

Likes: 13

Have it bench tested and make sure they load test it not just test it to see if it energizes an comes up to 14 + volts.

Apr 17, 2007 | 12:43 AM

pfogle

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 8,140

Likes: 4

From: Oak Harbor, OH

It almost sounds like you have a bad ground at the trailer. If you haven't done so already you may want to add a(n extra) ground wire to the harness for the trailer (should already be there). The hitch ball to trailer connection is not a good enough ground. You may also want to make sure that there isn't a short somewhere in the wiring on the trailer. Does the trailer have a heater/ac unit? Is it maybe stuck on?

Apr 17, 2007 | 12:31 PM

highboy390fe

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 465

Likes: 0

Well the alternature went bad so i replaced it and the next one went bad within 2 days and there not cheap alternaters either, so i guess i will throw another one on and see what happens