Upgrading Alternator!!
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From: Mandeville, La
Originally Posted by patshea098
what happens if you ste them on the concrete?
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From: S.E. Michigan
Originally Posted by Impact9
I have a question on the regulators on the aftermarket alternators. If the wrong regulator is used could it drain the battery with the truck not running?
Reason I am asking is that my truck battery keeps dying if it's not started everyday. I'm on my 2nd optima red top in 4 months and my alternator is a custom 250A from excessive amperage. I have my stereo and alarm system disconnected so that is out of the question. Autozone tested my battery and alternator and they look fine.
Thanks guys!
Reason I am asking is that my truck battery keeps dying if it's not started everyday. I'm on my 2nd optima red top in 4 months and my alternator is a custom 250A from excessive amperage. I have my stereo and alarm system disconnected so that is out of the question. Autozone tested my battery and alternator and they look fine.
Thanks guys!
Sometimes the draw may be in the altenator, or starter if it has a constant power supply to it. I would do the test light test and start disconnecting anything that was aftermarket first, like the amps. And it means disconnecting them at the batterie, pulling the fuses on the amps might not disconnect the power completely. It still could have a stray wire or something inside the amp shorting out. Happy hunting.....
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From: Wichita KS
Originally Posted by BestNTx
Sounds like you have something drawing energy from somewhere. Do you have a radar detector, or any accessories that are drawing power. Also when you are changing your batteries out your not setting them on the concrete are you?
Thanks guys!
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Originally Posted by Ssanders92120
I figured i'd chime in since since I just went through the same ordeal in upgrading the alternator in my 04 Scab. If your lights dim while you play your stereo and your car is running, then you need to upgrade your alternator. If you are able to pull more amps than your alternator is putting out, then no matter what a battery doesn't solve the problem. All it does is buy you a little more time until it gets drained down. By purchasing a 200amp upgraded alternator, your battery will always be charging when the motor is running, even if you have your A/C on high, stereo blaring, and your brights on.
If you do decide to go with an upgraded alternator, just make sure and let the company who is going to make your alternator know that the correct regulator for your alternator is a "F602" There are 4 regulators that Ford uses on the 6G alternator right now and it was a huge issue for me to find the right one. PA Performance gave up after I sent back 2 alternators because they didn't work. The place that finally was able to supply me with the correct working alternator was Wrangler NW Power Products. www.wranglernw.com Part #200-295 (200 Amp) Check out there site, they have a lot of cool products for our trucks.
If you would like to read up on the alternator and all the different regulators go here http://195.125.241.148//support/flyer/fl0602.htm It has alot of useful information.
If you do decide to go with an upgraded alternator, just make sure and let the company who is going to make your alternator know that the correct regulator for your alternator is a "F602" There are 4 regulators that Ford uses on the 6G alternator right now and it was a huge issue for me to find the right one. PA Performance gave up after I sent back 2 alternators because they didn't work. The place that finally was able to supply me with the correct working alternator was Wrangler NW Power Products. www.wranglernw.com Part #200-295 (200 Amp) Check out there site, they have a lot of cool products for our trucks.
If you would like to read up on the alternator and all the different regulators go here http://195.125.241.148//support/flyer/fl0602.htm It has alot of useful information.
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From: NM
One misconception is how much current the amps will draw during typical operation. For almost the entire time, they may be consuming a very small amount of power. During the peak "slams", they may indeed draw high current, but not as much as I believe has been stated. Most amplifiers have exaggerated peak power output, which translates into exaggerated peak power consumption.
However, if your lights are dimming, you are indeed drawing more than your alternator/battery reserve can supply for that moment. As others have stated, protect your truck's computer and be sure you have enough capacity with some to spare.
Lee
However, if your lights are dimming, you are indeed drawing more than your alternator/battery reserve can supply for that moment. As others have stated, protect your truck's computer and be sure you have enough capacity with some to spare.
Lee
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From: This side of the Milky Way
MooseRLP... So this means I should be able to just put in a Optima Yellow Top Battery. Right?
Sorry about reviving this dead thread but I was doing a search on experiences with Powermaster alternators.
Unless strapped for cash, choosing to upgrade the battery over the alternator and vice versa may not be the best choice. They should be thought of as part of a system rather than independent components. When the draw on the alternator is more than its output the battery will eventually run down leaving the alternator straining. Run a system everyday like that for 6 months and the alternator will fail. Deep-cycle batteries will allow complete battery drain and recharge without battery failure but are by themselves not a "stronger" batteries. Yellow Tops are not batteries on steroids which will help "boost" the alternator's performance or anything like that. Similarly, a high-output alternator might yield a higher output but will not increase the charge held by the battery.
It's best, and more expensive of course, to upgrade both components.
Sorry about reviving this dead thread but I was doing a search on experiences with Powermaster alternators.
Unless strapped for cash, choosing to upgrade the battery over the alternator and vice versa may not be the best choice. They should be thought of as part of a system rather than independent components. When the draw on the alternator is more than its output the battery will eventually run down leaving the alternator straining. Run a system everyday like that for 6 months and the alternator will fail. Deep-cycle batteries will allow complete battery drain and recharge without battery failure but are by themselves not a "stronger" batteries. Yellow Tops are not batteries on steroids which will help "boost" the alternator's performance or anything like that. Similarly, a high-output alternator might yield a higher output but will not increase the charge held by the battery.
It's best, and more expensive of course, to upgrade both components.
Last edited by LeanNCut; Apr 2, 2008 at 06:17 PM.
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From: Broward County, FL
Originally Posted by Impact9
I have a radar detector but it shouldn't be enough to kill a redtop in 24 hours. I'm can't get back to work my truck for about 2 weeks. I had my wife disconnect my stereo system and it was still draining. I'll try the test light soon as I return home.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
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From: Wichita KS
Wow old thread. I found out my problem about a year ago. The head rest monitors I had came with a 3 wire setup. One ground, one power, and one switched. I didn't run the switched source but tired it to the power. Big mistake. That would drain the battery in 2 days pretty easy. Then along with that when a red top goes dead it adds to the problem. So lesson #2 Never buy a red top- yellow or blues only.