High amp alt----overcharging???

[Offrhoder4x4]

alright...here's the problem.
1. 86 B2 factory alt puts out 64 amps peak.
2. Warn M8000 winch pulls 80amp at 0lbs load.
3. B2 weighs in at about 4000lbs.
4. M8000 pulls about 215 amps at 4000lb load.
You do the math....dead battery or long winching time if you have to keep stopping and letting the battery recharge some after 10 ft.

My question is, I found a alt that puts out 125amp idle and 200amp peak. This should work great when I'm winching, but will I have an overcharging condition that will cause major problems when under a normal power load? I don't have a fancy sound system or lots of lights...just normal load.

I don't want to lay down major cash for a high output alt if it will just burn up my truck. Somebody lay down some facts for me please.

[Bob]

The voltage reg should prevent a overcharge.
Is this alt the internal or external reg?
& who makes it?

[Offrhoder4x4]

I'm not even sure if it will work on my truck yet. It's listed for an 87 thru 90(?) B2, but I'm not sure if there is a difference b/w the setups b/w 86 and 87.

You can find it on truckperformance.com and do a search for bronco II applications. I'm going to call them tomorrow and find out.

[Offrhoder4x4]

Oops, brain fart... I found one for my year truck too. Check 'em out

[SoCoZach]

from what i understand it wont cause any probs other than most of em over 100 amp require an external voltage regulator but if thias is an internal one even better ..but what the hell go for it either way i dont foresee any probs...Zach

[Bob]

Will do...Thanks
I had mine rewound, but he could get it to 100 amp. (small case)

[loufish]

Internal, external, dosen't matter, either way the regulater will keep the amperage up just enough to keep up with the total loads(winch, lights, etc.)of course the rating of the alt. determines what that max amperage will be.
Overchareging = bad regulater.

[gimp]

ouch! Those are expensive! The 200amp one is $400!
Check out Mr. Alternator (http://www.mralternator.com/alternators/ford.html)
$225 for a 200amp
also, Mean Green (http://www.mean-green.com) also has a 200amp, 180amp at idle, for like $300.. there is a couple threads on the mean-green in the 2.9L section

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: gimp ]

[TNMAN]

Offrhoder4x4:I used to kill my battery with my winch too ,till I got a new battery.Before you blow major funds on a h/o alt.,I'd check the battery first.I have the biggest battery I could fit under the hood of my 85 BroII.I use a 1000CCA battery.I had to mod my battery tray some(BFH&chisel)to get it in and buy a new hold-down bracket.Since I put the bigger battery in I have NO problem winching now and I still have the OEM alt.Also,when I'm winching,I turn off all un-necessary stuff(stereo,CB,amp.,electric fan)and even turn off the head lights if they were to start dimming.Try and keep the revs up too, while you're winching.I usually run my remote thru the window and sit in the drivers seat while winching or let someone else run the winch while I sit inside and keep the RPMs up.Make sure all your connections(at battery &winch) are tight and corrosion free also.I hope this helps.Steve

[jamesr]

also on the regulators the stock ones work good upto 90 amp or so. after that u will have to get a higher rated regulator. but also implies only to external regs. internal ones are already setup

[Offrhoder4x4]

MeanGreen and Mr.Alternator didn't show anything for an 86 B2. I may just have to call them.

TNMAN, everything is in good working order. All connections are tight and the battery is the largest RedTop Optima I could get for the truck. I think it's an 850 CCA and it's only 5 months old. The battery holds it pretty well unless I'm winching for a long time, or pulling hard (mud, uphill, etc) and it starts pulling major amperage.

One thing is for sure, that $400 hi-amp alternator would have been worth every penny last weekend.

[Wrench]

The better way would be to run another battery with a battery isolator. :D
You add the second battery to run all the extras, winch, party lights etc. You can run the second battery down to nothing and start your rig like nothing every happened. No need to worry about how much your using the winch and no need to buy another alternator. Your stock alternator will keep both batteries up to charge.
And if the first battery goes bad you can use the second battery for a jump start. :D

[gimp]

I've emailed both Mean-Green and Mr. Alterator about this h/o alts. They both have them for the 2.9L V6.
I also did some more looking last night..
found 2 more places to get ~200amp alts..
Ford Motorcraft 3G alts (http://www.alternatorparts.com/Ford_3G.htm) $280 for 200amp.
"My application guide says that the Bronco II & Ranger with the 2.9 V-6 came standard with the 40 amp 2G internal regulator alternator. It says they also came with an optional 60 amp internal or external regulator alternator as well as one with an offset mounting ear. Does your alternator use wiring harness plug-in's (internal regulator version) for the wiring or is the wiring hooked to the back of the alternator with ring terminals & nuts (external regulator version). Also are the mounting points 180 degrees apart or offset. Offset would be if you look from the rear of the alternator, with the large main mounting point straight down in a 6 o'clock position the smaller mounting point will be at the 10 O'clock position. Either way we do have a version of the 3G 130, 170 or 200 amp alternator that will fit your Ford.
Best America Ind. (http://www.bestamericaind.com/car_alt.htm) I believe they also have one.. waiting on an email back.

Why is it, when I ask them if they fit the 2.9L V6 in B2s and Rangers, they *MUST* know the year... there isn't THAT much of a dif in the dif years of 2.9's is there?

[Offrhoder4x4]

Gimp, I'll keep my search going. The companies that I have emailed are really slow about replying. I'd much rather have an alternator that can keep up with the load, than to have an extra 40lb battery weighing my truck down. No need to worry about a spare battery if the alternator can keep up...at least that's the way I see it.

Let me know what you find. I definitely have the alt w/ offset ears though. That's one of the reasons it's so hard to find an aftermarket alt for a decent price.

[Wrench]

Well gee that sounds swell and all but it won't work the way you think it will.
When your outside your truck cranking on the winch and drawing big amps your 2million dollar alternator won't be making enough to keep up. Your gonna need at least 2k rpm to get full output. The only way to get full output at engine idle is another battery. Then charge it later while driving. :rolleyes:

[ummduh]

I agree. You'll be money ahead (if you blow 300 on a new alt) to stab a second battery in it and be happy, unless your having charging problems now; like your headlights dimming with the heat on and whatnot.

Your new alt won't start your truck if your battery goes kapoot on you at the mall parking lot either
Oh yea, what the alt is rated for in amps output is only what it is CAPABLE of, bot how much it'll always be putting out. The voltage reg. takes care of determining how much the alt should charge.

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: ummduh ]

[Offrhoder4x4]

Not getting snotty, but here are the facts.
1. The stock alternator can't keep up with the current system. Ex. Headlights go dim when the heater fan is on full.
2. I never wheel alone and there is always someone watching my line when I winch....therefore, I'm ALWAYS in my truck keeping the rpms up.

When it comes down to it, there's not a chance in hell that a 2nd battery would have helped me last weekend. That was just too much winching for the alt to keep up with, even if I was swapping the charge from one battery to the other.
My winch pulls about 215a at 4000lbs, and we all know that the B2's weigh in at a little less than that. It would take a LOT longer for the 64 amp alt to charge the second battery (after draining from winching), than it would take the winch to draw down the 1st battery while the second was charging.
If I was concerned about boosting a dead battery in the shopping mall, I would buy a booster kit. The last thing I need in my truck is the added weight of a second battery.

I know you guys are trying to point out the most cost effective way to keep the juice going, but that last trip out showed me that my alt wasn't cutting it, and a second battery wouldn't have stood a chance. Not saying that it wouldn't have helped for a little while, but I would have been in the same situation after the second battery died. It was easily a 1 mile uphill winch-fest in wet clay (last time I follow that trail boss).

Where I'm at now is that I'm trying to find the best value in a high output alt. If you guys have anymore leads, I'll be happy to hear them and check them out.

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: Offrhoder4x4 ]

[gimp]

Best America Ind (http://www.bestamericaind.com/car_alt.htm) does have a 220amp.. but they are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive... like $550.. so that one goes down the crapper :p

[Offrhoder4x4]

Yeah, I found another place that has the 130/200 alt, but they wanted $600 :eek:

Give me a break. They said they'd cut me a deal if I got several people together. I guess you can't expect anything more from a company that specializes in getting alts in the color of your choice.

[ummduh]

Call some local motor rebuild shops, many of them will rebuild your current alt to your liking. Expect to pay around $1 an amp though..

I understand why your wanting the new alt then.. We were just adding some constructive critisism.. :D

[jamesr]

i would also recomend a second batery setup. could run second batery next to the main. with the bigger alt. and run the winch and other assesorys from second batery. the second batery doesnt need to be as big as the main but u would be surprised at what a diference that makes.