Alternator amperage?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: San Diego
Alternator amperage?
I did a search and couldn't come up with an answer. What is the amperage of the alternator on the 7.3? Mine just took a dump on the way home this weekend from the river, we were about 90 miles out and had no problem getting home but when I checked it it was dead. I am probably going to go with a higher amperage alternator just to be safe so I won't have any problem. I will be running a winch to get a sand rail on the back of the truck and upgrading the stereo in the future. I found THIS one, don't know if it is good or not. There is also a local shop that rebuilds alts and starters and I think he can up the amp on them also. Does the part houses have the "high amp" ones or will it be just stock? I read that alot of people are having problems with the part house replacements going out on them, but at least they have a lifetime warranty. I am not in a huge rush to get a new one so I could wait for one to be shipped.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
I'd check with your local guy to see what he can do for you first. If he's way to expensive, then order one. The key is to get good output at lower rpms.
I had a local guy build mine. While it was pricey, it puts out 160A at idle and 230A at 1500 rpms. I like to support my local economy and if I have problems I don't have to ship it.
If you're going to run a winch and do it right, you need a lot of current. Upgrade to #2 cable from the alternator to the battery if you go with anything near 200A.
Austin
I had a local guy build mine. While it was pricey, it puts out 160A at idle and 230A at 1500 rpms. I like to support my local economy and if I have problems I don't have to ship it.
If you're going to run a winch and do it right, you need a lot of current. Upgrade to #2 cable from the alternator to the battery if you go with anything near 200A.
Austin
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 278
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From: Boca Raton, FL
I just ordered and installed the HD 160amp from this website
Ford Motorcraft 3G type High Output Alternators
Nice people, fast shipping and a freat alternator.
Ford Motorcraft 3G type High Output Alternators
Nice people, fast shipping and a freat alternator.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I had some of the same questions on an earlier thread here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...cal-gurus.html
The ones from the local parts stores are 110 amp. My manual lists a stock 130 amp alternator. There are a few suggestions in that thread for alternators others have used. If there's a local shop that does the rebuilds on site, I don't see you going wrong with that option.
The ones from the local parts stores are 110 amp. My manual lists a stock 130 amp alternator. There are a few suggestions in that thread for alternators others have used. If there's a local shop that does the rebuilds on site, I don't see you going wrong with that option.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I'd check with your local guy to see what he can do for you first. If he's way to expensive, then order one. The key is to get good output at lower rpms.
I had a local guy build mine. While it was pricey, it puts out 160A at idle and 230A at 1500 rpms. I like to support my local economy and if I have problems I don't have to ship it.
If you're going to run a winch and do it right, you need a lot of current. Upgrade to #2 cable from the alternator to the battery if you go with anything near 200A.
Austin
I had a local guy build mine. While it was pricey, it puts out 160A at idle and 230A at 1500 rpms. I like to support my local economy and if I have problems I don't have to ship it.
If you're going to run a winch and do it right, you need a lot of current. Upgrade to #2 cable from the alternator to the battery if you go with anything near 200A.
Austin
I just ordered and installed the HD 160amp from this website
Ford Motorcraft 3G type High Output Alternators
Nice people, fast shipping and a freat alternator.
Ford Motorcraft 3G type High Output Alternators
Nice people, fast shipping and a freat alternator.
I had some of the same questions on an earlier thread here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...cal-gurus.html
The ones from the local parts stores are 110 amp. My manual lists a stock 130 amp alternator. There are a few suggestions in that thread for alternators others have used. If there's a local shop that does the rebuilds on site, I don't see you going wrong with that option.
The ones from the local parts stores are 110 amp. My manual lists a stock 130 amp alternator. There are a few suggestions in that thread for alternators others have used. If there's a local shop that does the rebuilds on site, I don't see you going wrong with that option.
Oh and thanks again everyone, love this site!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
Yes Absoutly. I should have made that clearer. All you would have to do is make sure that you have good tight clean connections (crimps). A loose connection = higher resistance =heat. I have to add an inverter on another of my trucks. When I do I'll try and take some pics of how I prepare and crimp the cables. BTW the best source that I have found for making my own cables is a welding supply shop.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
You get the picture.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 10
From: Sterling Heights,Mi
OKay, question time to Jim, strandad cable for frequency such as welding,Frequency travels the "skin" of the wire, so more strands, better frequency, right? Solid wire for voltage and load? I used #2 THNN
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
There really isn't much of a difference between the load carried between a solid wire and a stranded wire. Using a #2 AWG THHN is fine the wire is rated for 100A ac. There might be a slight amperage deduction for dc. There was a company I beleive it is Cobra Cable, they made a finely stranded cable that the amperage was rated higher than other cables of the same guage. Ex. a #2 100A a cobra #2 maybe 125A. The way cables are rated AWG wise a 14 is a 14, 12 is a 12, etc. The difference is in the insulation of the conductors, and where it is used, pipe, underground, free air etc. This is where the difference in ampacity's between wires come from.
I hope this helps!
