Alternator Overdrive
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
Alternator Overdrive
I cant remember if I posted this earlier, but I am sorta interested in this overdrive pulley for the alternator.
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Our trucks dont rev very high compared to gas engines, basically half as much, and I figured that if an alternator can spin 6k on a modular, why cant it spin more then 3k on a diesel.
I use a winch a lot, and I have the ford idle control module to help keep the batteries charged (works awesome by the way) I was wondering others opinions on using this pulley. Im sure it does not overdrive it by much, but any is better then nothing I figured. It will help with most all other applications like lots of lights or accessories, where you cant use the idle controller (need to be in park or neutral and parking brake set)
Any opinions. Ill be getting a bigger alternator as soon as the one on the truck dies....which who knows when that is, but until then, what do you think.
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Our trucks dont rev very high compared to gas engines, basically half as much, and I figured that if an alternator can spin 6k on a modular, why cant it spin more then 3k on a diesel.
I use a winch a lot, and I have the ford idle control module to help keep the batteries charged (works awesome by the way) I was wondering others opinions on using this pulley. Im sure it does not overdrive it by much, but any is better then nothing I figured. It will help with most all other applications like lots of lights or accessories, where you cant use the idle controller (need to be in park or neutral and parking brake set)
Any opinions. Ill be getting a bigger alternator as soon as the one on the truck dies....which who knows when that is, but until then, what do you think.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
well volts and amps are somewhat related due to wattage and such, but you can be drawing more amps then the alt is putting out at the 14.x volts, and then the batteries are being used, and not the alternator. Spinning the alt faster I would assume will get the alternator more into its "sweet spot" (because at low rpm it puts out less amps then at a higher rpm, to a point) and keep the batteries maintained better. Im not an electrical person so Im not sure...
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
I would still say that the alt is very similar, if not the same, ony different...sorta.
for 37 dollars, it isnt a bad investment i dont think, and you dont even need a new acessory belt thankfully, seeing as though i just replaced mine.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
It should work.
Make sure that your belt tensioner is good and strong.
That smaller pulley will give some on the length of the belt and the tensioner will take up the slack.
Which will relax some of the spring pressure that the tensioner exerts against the belt.
Or you might have to find a slightly larger idler roller, or a slightly shorter belt.
Make sure that your belt tensioner is good and strong.
That smaller pulley will give some on the length of the belt and the tensioner will take up the slack.
Which will relax some of the spring pressure that the tensioner exerts against the belt.
Or you might have to find a slightly larger idler roller, or a slightly shorter belt.
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Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
It should work.
Make sure that your belt tensioner is good and strong.
That smaller pulley will give some on the length of the belt and the tensioner will take up the slack.
Which will relax some of the spring pressure that the tensioner exerts against the belt.
Or you might have to find a slightly larger idler roller, or a slightly shorter belt.
Make sure that your belt tensioner is good and strong.
That smaller pulley will give some on the length of the belt and the tensioner will take up the slack.
Which will relax some of the spring pressure that the tensioner exerts against the belt.
Or you might have to find a slightly larger idler roller, or a slightly shorter belt.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
It should work.
Make sure that your belt tensioner is good and strong.
That smaller pulley will give some on the length of the belt and the tensioner will take up the slack.
Which will relax some of the spring pressure that the tensioner exerts against the belt.
Or you might have to find a slightly larger idler roller, or a slightly shorter belt.
Make sure that your belt tensioner is good and strong.
That smaller pulley will give some on the length of the belt and the tensioner will take up the slack.
Which will relax some of the spring pressure that the tensioner exerts against the belt.
Or you might have to find a slightly larger idler roller, or a slightly shorter belt.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
I did that initially on my new large case alternator I installed this summer, but I ended up stripping a bolt and had to replace the bracket, at which time I ground the center down a bit so the new alt would sit proper and let me get full thread bite into the bracket to minimize potential for stripped threads again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
well volts and amps are somewhat related due to wattage and such, but you can be drawing more amps then the alt is putting out at the 14.x volts, and then the batteries are being used, and not the alternator. Spinning the alt faster I would assume will get the alternator more into its "sweet spot" (because at low rpm it puts out less amps then at a higher rpm, to a point) and keep the batteries maintained better. Im not an electrical person so Im not sure...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
That would work.
But see Pete's experience below and get some longer bolts.
Pete, I know it's too late now, but you can get a heli-coil thread repair kit with 10 heli-coils in it for less than $30.00 at Napa.
IIRC the thread is metric 10x1.5.
It will look similar to this, but I couldn't find a 10x1.5 kit online to provide a link.
Store Locator | NAPA Online
But see Pete's experience below and get some longer bolts.
I did that initially on my new large case alternator I installed this summer, but I ended up stripping a bolt and had to replace the bracket, at which time I ground the center down a bit so the new alt would sit proper and let me get full thread bite into the bracket to minimize potential for stripped threads again.
IIRC the thread is metric 10x1.5.
It will look similar to this, but I couldn't find a 10x1.5 kit online to provide a link.
Store Locator | NAPA Online