2nd Alternator

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Jul 8, 2008 | 06:25 PM

joe_13894

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Fleet Mechanic

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From: The boonies by Dallas OR

2nd Alternator

Does anyone know if our trucks ever came with a second alternator, or just the 215A single?

Mine shows an optional second alternator on the belt routing sticker on under the hood.

Mine had the tensioner TSB done before I bought it, so it has a superduty tensioner. I suspect the dealership
also slapped a superduty belt routing sticker
on it.

It would be really nice to just put the second alternator on for charging my camper and have a totally dedicated charge circuit. Yep, I know the factory duals have a PCM control on the second alternator, but if the two systems are not interconnected, I can wire the second alternator to just charge the camper battery so I won't have a problem with the two interacting.

Jul 8, 2008 | 07:06 PM

c00nhunterjoe

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Joined: May 2007

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From: Belair md

the ambulance package came with dual alternators and you could special order it. not really needed unless you are planning on putting lots of lights or a killer sound system in the truck. adding the second alternator is a peice of cake

Jul 8, 2008 | 08:28 PM

joe_13894

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From: The boonies by Dallas OR

Thanks coonhunterjoe.

Do you happen to know if the Superduty brackets will work, or do I need one specific to the 94.5-97 trucks? Any suggestions on how to get one?

I'm interested in a separate alternator because I have a massive battery bank in my camper. Right now, the truck voltage won't come up for a good hour if I've run the camper battery dead. I'm sure a single 200A would pull it up faster, but I figure it'd be nice just to devote one to charging the camper up and the other would run the truck like normal.

Jul 8, 2008 | 09:13 PM

tjbeggs

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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

The SD brackets won't work cause the alt and AC are switched around compared to the OBS so I guess you would stuck with getting the correct passenger side bracket for your engine.

Jul 9, 2008 | 12:40 AM

97 HD

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From: Lawrenceburg, TN

The amblance package had two alts.? I thought it was just one 215 amp alt.

Jul 10, 2008 | 12:07 PM

joe_13894

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2007

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From: The boonies by Dallas OR

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 HD

The amblance package had two alts.? I thought it was just one 215 amp alt.

That's what I'm trying to figure out here. I've got conflicting information. I have a '95 Ford shop manual, and the wiring diagrams show either a single 130 or a 215. No mention of duals.

If the bracket isn't available, I'm thinking of fabricating one to hold two alternators side by side. Right now I've got a coolant filter mounted beside the alternator, but I can relocate the filter back.

Jul 10, 2008 | 12:29 PM

tjbeggs

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

Yeah I have seen one van with dual alternators but it was a handicap van that may have had a custom set up on it. The van was a 95 I believe but I can remember if it was facotry or not. All I remember is the 2nd alt was in the way for a simple CPS change.