High amp alternator
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From: Lake Mary Florida
High amp alternator
Since Ford did not seem to offer a higher amp alternator (that I could find) other then the 110 amp stock, I've been looking at other sites for one. This site offers 130 amp all the way up to 220 AMP (on demand and at cruising RPM; not a constant 130 to 220 amp):
http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-8141-n...p-04-2004.aspx
Anyone have any experience with them? They are not fomoco alternators, but since I have an electric fan, a 6 pin trailer with the additional 12 volt accessory lead out to the trailer (used to power my 12 volt campers refrig during towing), I want to move up to a 130 amp to keep the 820 amp battery up to snuff. Using my Edge programmer, I monitor the battery voltage, and notice that when towing my camper, the battery will drop from 14.1 to 13.3 volts; while that's greater then the 12.6 battery output, I'd think a 130 amp would be a better alternator for replacement. My current alternator is the original, and at 8 years of operation, it may not have too much life left in it.
http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-8141-n...p-04-2004.aspx
Anyone have any experience with them? They are not fomoco alternators, but since I have an electric fan, a 6 pin trailer with the additional 12 volt accessory lead out to the trailer (used to power my 12 volt campers refrig during towing), I want to move up to a 130 amp to keep the 820 amp battery up to snuff. Using my Edge programmer, I monitor the battery voltage, and notice that when towing my camper, the battery will drop from 14.1 to 13.3 volts; while that's greater then the 12.6 battery output, I'd think a 130 amp would be a better alternator for replacement. My current alternator is the original, and at 8 years of operation, it may not have too much life left in it.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); Jan 19, 2016 at 08:13 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Replaced it three weeks ago with a premium 835 cold cranking AMP Interstate battery.
When I owned my 2000 Ford Ranger, Ford offered and equipped these that came from the factory with the heavy duty tow package with a 220 AMP alternator.
In discussing with my local Ford parts guy, he stated the 110 amp alternator "should do just fine", but I'm still wondering if 110 AMP output is alright with my total requirements when towing my camper with the 12 volt accessory lead (on the 6 prong connector) being used, plus the e-fan draw (Mark VIII 2 speed).
When I owned my 2000 Ford Ranger, Ford offered and equipped these that came from the factory with the heavy duty tow package with a 220 AMP alternator.
In discussing with my local Ford parts guy, he stated the 110 amp alternator "should do just fine", but I'm still wondering if 110 AMP output is alright with my total requirements when towing my camper with the 12 volt accessory lead (on the 6 prong connector) being used, plus the e-fan draw (Mark VIII 2 speed).
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); Jan 19, 2016 at 11:46 AM.
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From: Tonopah. AZ.
Thread Starter
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
Likes: 486
From: Lake Mary Florida
Not the issue, since the site I mentioned has 110 to 220 amp alternators that fit a 4.6, so no need to "fabricate" brackets and mounts. I asked if anyone had any good or bad experience with the company posted in my link.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 11
From: Houston
I'm sort of in the same boat as you, Bucko. I've added enough items that my alternator is struggling to keep up. With everything (lights, stereo with amps, e-fan, etc.) running at idle I'm pulling about 90A off the alternator. Now my alternator is making funny noises so I know it's on its last leg...luckily I'm still within my "used car extended warranty" and it cover the alternator. Another bit of luck, they'll let me pay the difference on an upgrade.
With that said, sadly, I don't have any experience with DB Electrical. However, I have been researching high output alternators and asking friends that have experience upgrading vehicles to them. The highest recommendation (in price and praise) is DC Power Engineering, followed by Power Bastards. Mechman is also often discussed on this and other forums. Naturally, all of them have the "their stuff is crap" posts, but they also have the "worked fine for me" posts.
Something I've learned to look for is the performance that each has at idle and where they reach max output. Some don't reach their "magic number" until higher RPM where most of us don't drive. I'm looking for higher output near idle to ~1200RPM (stop and go traffic in Houston, ugh!) since I know about how many amps I'm pulling (at idle) and plan to add more equipment.
I just wanted to pass along the info I've gathered to maybe help you in your decision.
https://www.dcpowerinc.com/
https://www.powerbastards.com/
http://www.mechman.com/
With that said, sadly, I don't have any experience with DB Electrical. However, I have been researching high output alternators and asking friends that have experience upgrading vehicles to them. The highest recommendation (in price and praise) is DC Power Engineering, followed by Power Bastards. Mechman is also often discussed on this and other forums. Naturally, all of them have the "their stuff is crap" posts, but they also have the "worked fine for me" posts.
Something I've learned to look for is the performance that each has at idle and where they reach max output. Some don't reach their "magic number" until higher RPM where most of us don't drive. I'm looking for higher output near idle to ~1200RPM (stop and go traffic in Houston, ugh!) since I know about how many amps I'm pulling (at idle) and plan to add more equipment.
I just wanted to pass along the info I've gathered to maybe help you in your decision.
https://www.dcpowerinc.com/
https://www.powerbastards.com/
http://www.mechman.com/
F150 on jooze
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 404
Likes: 7
From: Port Neches, TX
I'm sort of in the same boat as you, Bucko. I've added enough items that my alternator is struggling to keep up. With everything (lights, stereo with amps, e-fan, etc.) running at idle I'm pulling about 90A off the alternator. Now my alternator is making funny noises so I know it's on its last leg...luckily I'm still within my "used car extended warranty" and it cover the alternator. Another bit of luck, they'll let me pay the difference on an upgrade.
With that said, sadly, I don't have any experience with DB Electrical. However, I have been researching high output alternators and asking friends that have experience upgrading vehicles to them. The highest recommendation (in price and praise) is DC Power Engineering, followed by Power Bastards. Mechman is also often discussed on this and other forums. Naturally, all of them have the "their stuff is crap" posts, but they also have the "worked fine for me" posts.
Something I've learned to look for is the performance that each has at idle and where they reach max output. Some don't reach their "magic number" until higher RPM where most of us don't drive. I'm looking for higher output near idle to ~1200RPM (stop and go traffic in Houston, ugh!) since I know about how many amps I'm pulling (at idle) and plan to add more equipment.
I just wanted to pass along the info I've gathered to maybe help you in your decision.
https://www.dcpowerinc.com/
https://www.powerbastards.com/
http://www.mechman.com/
With that said, sadly, I don't have any experience with DB Electrical. However, I have been researching high output alternators and asking friends that have experience upgrading vehicles to them. The highest recommendation (in price and praise) is DC Power Engineering, followed by Power Bastards. Mechman is also often discussed on this and other forums. Naturally, all of them have the "their stuff is crap" posts, but they also have the "worked fine for me" posts.
Something I've learned to look for is the performance that each has at idle and where they reach max output. Some don't reach their "magic number" until higher RPM where most of us don't drive. I'm looking for higher output near idle to ~1200RPM (stop and go traffic in Houston, ugh!) since I know about how many amps I'm pulling (at idle) and plan to add more equipment.
I just wanted to pass along the info I've gathered to maybe help you in your decision.
https://www.dcpowerinc.com/
https://www.powerbastards.com/
http://www.mechman.com/