has anyone ever thought about running 2 alternatures, if so any ideas on how to wire?

gingerbreadman

Only half-baked
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Jan 17, 2002
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Go ahead, call me cheaky
I want some extra juice over my stock 60 amp alternature in my 85 f150, i wanna run 5 100w lights and i doubt a 60 amp alt. will be enough with my stereo pumping away......

i looked at some aftermarket higher amp alternatures but the price up here in canada is outrages....

i can figure out the brackets and pulleys easiely enough but my question is how would i wire something like this in???? a second voltage regulater maybe??? or splice the 2 alts together then to one voltage reg...????


any ideas guys???




-gbm-
 
skywalker said:
So order from the US if the canadian prices are that outrageous?

I can tell you this is possible, but not worth the time or effort.



by the time i order from the u.s. it winds up being more then up here with exchange and shipping.... trust me :( I just cant soak $300+ 14% tax into a alternature....

so if this is possible tell me how.... :rolleyes:


-gbm-
 
You'll have to fab some method of mounting the second alternator, find a method by which to drive it. This can probably be done by using whatever the AC compressor mounts with (I don't know as I don't have AC.) Then you'll need to examine the wiring schematic to figure out how to wire it in without a) blowing out all your other components/fuses b) not introducing an obscene amount of noise into your stereo system. This is not an especially difficult task, but it's not trivial either (trust me I know, I'm majoring in computer engineering which is a variation of electrical engineering.)

Trust me when I tell you this: not worth it.

Look around for a used one, you might be surprised at the deals you could find.
 
Since you really have your heart set on this-I'll tell you what I have done in the past with dual alternator vehicles. The only way I have done it(or seen it done) is one alternator per battery. 1 battery for normal vehicle functions and the other for aftermarket accessories such as your lights, And yes you would need another regulator for this alternator. Have you ever considered a stock alternator off of a 94-95 GT with a smaller pulley? This is what I use in my car to power dual batteries.
 
I know they used to do this with plow trucks, but nowadays you can just get a replacement alternator for a 92-3 Taurus with the 3.8 engine. It's rated for 130 amps. It's larger than you alternator but usually is a straight bolt in unless you have the "short" lower adjuster bracket. It uses a plug in for the "S" and "F" teminals. I like to get this off a junked car, but you can use regular crimp terminals. It will work with your stock regulator but I suggest upgrading to the later electronic style.
I've done this on my 82 351W F150, an 86 Mustang with an older 302, 79 F100 302, and for the heck of it, a 67 coupe with the 200 six cylinder.
Or, sticking with the original idea, put in two and have 260 amps!!
 
Kendoo: You're correct in that method, however by the time he gets everything put in, he'll probably have spent just as much as buying the 130amp alternator. Gypsy's idea sounds darn good though, I'm going to do that in my '68!
 
Check into wiring a 3G alternator into your truck. There are alot of web resources for this. I believe they are 130 amp. If you still need extra I would use the 3G in conjunction with dual batterys and an isolator. Should provide you with the juice you need
 
If you still need extra I would use the 3G in conjunction with dual batterys and an isolator. Should provide you with the juice you need

Two batteries are the way to go. If the sterio won't play, the car will still start. I did it to my '70 Ranchero years ago and it worked great with 100amp. alt.

John




(edit) - Idea! - You could put one on the rear end as some racers do. The brackets would be no harder to make. You may be able to find some from the racer web. sites. Use two batteries and two lower amp. alt.'s. Have a switch that would come on at speed. If the car sees enouph highway time it could keep the second batt. charged. The under-hood would look better too.
 
gp001 said:
Check into wiring a 3G alternator into your truck. There are alot of web resources for this. I believe they are 130 amp. If you still need extra I would use the 3G in conjunction with dual batterys and an isolator. Should provide you with the juice you need

whats a 3G alternator?????


130 amp is plenty, heck even 80 amps would be good, remember ohms law boys??? those 100 watt lights will draw 100w/12v=8.33 amps each. 8.33 x 5 = 41.65 amps total.... tack on my headlights and sound sytem and the 60 amp alt will be struggling to keep up.....



-gbm-
 
gingerbreadman said:
whats a 3G alternator?????


130 amp is plenty, heck even 80 amps would be good, remember ohms law boys??? those 100 watt lights will draw 100w/12v=8.33 amps each. 8.33 x 5 = 41.65 amps total.... tack on my headlights and sound sytem and the 60 amp alt will be struggling to keep up.....



-gbm-

The 3G is Fords later model 130 amp alt that came on (IIRC) 94 & newer Stangs in addition to other vehicles. There are several writeups on the web about converting older vehicles to use 3G alts
 
tyler did the upgrade on his alternator a couple of years ago. might want to hit him up with a pm.

hey josh, a little OT. but did you ever fix your car? seems like the last thing I remember was it chewing up a cam gear. twice if I remember right.
 
hungrymonkey said:
tyler did the upgrade on his alternator a couple of years ago. might want to hit him up with a pm.

hey josh, a little OT. but did you ever fix your car? seems like the last thing I remember was it chewing up a cam gear. twice if I remember right.


i will hit up ty,

oh **** theres been a billion more threads since then.... i got it all going yes, drove it for a while and actually just sold it day before yesterday :( :notnice:


-gbm-