alternator conversions
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
alternator conversions
I have seen kits that are supposed to make your alternator higher output, has anyone tried them? The reason I ask is my stock one wont keep up with all of my lights, plus I think it is wearing out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Inthepast
alternator conversions
Dave:
I run a standard 60 amp alternator in my 67 plow truck. I run a 1300 amp battery. The only time I notice a lag is at idle (550 rpm); At slightly above idle, the the standard alternator keeps up fine and that's with wipers, plow lights, headlights, emergency beacon, radio and heater. I would try to steer away from a high output alternators. Perhaps something is wrong with your system if yours isn't cutting it. How many volts do you have at the battery when engine is running?
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
I run a standard 60 amp alternator in my 67 plow truck. I run a 1300 amp battery. The only time I notice a lag is at idle (550 rpm); At slightly above idle, the the standard alternator keeps up fine and that's with wipers, plow lights, headlights, emergency beacon, radio and heater. I would try to steer away from a high output alternators. Perhaps something is wrong with your system if yours isn't cutting it. How many volts do you have at the battery when engine is running?
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
Elder User
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 917
Likes: 3
From: Kelseyville USA
alternator conversions
>I have seen kits that are supposed
>to make your alternator higher output,
>has anyone tried them? The reason
>I ask is my stock one
>wont keep up with all of
>my lights, plus I think it
>is wearing out.
One option you have is to Increase the RPM of the alternator at Lower/Idle speeds. This can be done by Reducing the Diam of the pulley, say from 4.5" to 4.25 or 4.0 ....
BUT it will Increase the Alt. speed at higher RPM and could toss the fins off at say 5,000 .
Most late model v-6`s Mine anyway is only 3.5 and shifts at 6,000 RPM.....
I do think you checked for the belts being loose?
Heavy loads will cause belt slippage and loss of function at low RPM....
__JOHN__Õ¿ö
72 F-250
>to make your alternator higher output,
>has anyone tried them? The reason
>I ask is my stock one
>wont keep up with all of
>my lights, plus I think it
>is wearing out.
One option you have is to Increase the RPM of the alternator at Lower/Idle speeds. This can be done by Reducing the Diam of the pulley, say from 4.5" to 4.25 or 4.0 ....
BUT it will Increase the Alt. speed at higher RPM and could toss the fins off at say 5,000 .
Most late model v-6`s Mine anyway is only 3.5 and shifts at 6,000 RPM.....
I do think you checked for the belts being loose?
Heavy loads will cause belt slippage and loss of function at low RPM....
__JOHN__Õ¿ö
72 F-250
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
alternator conversions
I do think that my alternator is getting worn out, but the belts are fine, and every thing else is working proper. I havent checked the voltage, but I have 470 watts worth of aux. lighting, that I like to run when I am out wheeling, and if I was to buy an alternator rebuild kit, I wondered if it would be worth the extra bucks for the higher output kit.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Inthepast
alternator conversions
I don't think the original wiring harnesses, elecrical components and stock regulators are rated for the extra amps. JMOHO.
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
alternator conversions
If I got a new regulator and rewired everything, do you think that would work, what about an 80amp alternator, could the stock wiring handle that?
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Inthepast
alternator conversions
Your probably o.k. with higher than the 80 amp if you wire all of your accessories using seperate circuits from the main terminal by the solenoid. You also may want to consider performing the "whiter-whites" headlight conversion found on the main page tech forum. I think that helps lighten the current load flowing through the headlight circuit.
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: SE PA
alternator conversions
If you go with havin' yours upgraded, beware of some of the do-it-yourself kits, they will give more output at higher RPM's, but with a loss at idle, not good for four wheelin'. Many companies offer upgrade units to around 200 amp output without losin' it at idle, powermaster, mechanicalman and premier power just to name a few, these are somewhat more expensive but they can match to your requirements and generally fit stock locations. May need to upgrade regulator and wiring from alternator to battery, but, again these are generally included from the company. Chuck P.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
alternator conversions
I do have all of my accesories hooked to the solenoid, and someone has already put in some big wires to the batt and regulator from the alternator. If these kits take away from the lower RPMs then I definetly dont want it, because that is what I was after in the first place.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post