[Morning Wood]

Im putting a 200 amp alternator in my truck. I'm thinking I should upgrade the wiring to the battery as well. What kind of size should I be looking at? Ground as well? Can I just add an additional wire to the existing wiring? Place where I am getting alternator sells an additional wire to add on to existing factory wire, but that doesn't seems like the best option. Thanks, Nick

 

[Tinstaafl]

If the add-on wire is hefty enough to carry the full load, there's no harm in leaving the old one there as well. But if it's only good for part of the load, how did they go about sizing it without knowing what's currently there? :no:

 

[Nepean GC]

You'll want to do the 'big three upgrade'

Battery ground to chassis, chassis to engine block, and alternator + to battery +.

typically done with 0 or 1 gauge wire by audio enthusiasts.

 

[Tom Struble]

makes sense..

 

[tyb525]

Good time to check and redo/clean all your ground connections.

 

[Morning Wood]

You'll want to do the 'big three upgrade'

Battery ground to chassis, chassis to engine block, and alternator + to battery +.

typically done with 0 or 1 gauge wire by audio enthusiasts.

That makes sense. Great. More money.

 

[Work&Play]

This place has some nice wiring.

http://custombatterycables.com/index.htm

 

[TimelessQuality]

You didn't say what truck, so this may not matter.

With that many amps, you'll need a serpentine belt, or if if it's v-belts, you need to double up the pulley and run two belts..

'They' say anything over 140 amp draw will slip a regular v-belt.

 

[Randy Bush]

I was kind of wondering what you are doing that needs that kind of charging?

 

[tyb525]

Sound system, radio system, trailer power, winch, etc, misc power eaters, etc.

 

[Morning Wood]

Its a 2005 F350 with a V10. It has a serpentine belt. I run a 9'-6" fisher Extreme V plow. I do driveways, so I use the plow alot. I also run some warning and backup lights, but they are LED so they don't draw much. For me to buy an OEM 115 amp alternator costs more than getting a 200 amp aftermarket one. Sort of a no brainer. Except I'll be spending extra to upgrade the wiring. Kind of like framing 16 o.c. instead of 24" o.c. My current alternator has bad diodes. In any case my headlights dim quite a bit when I run the plow. I am planning on adding a second battery as well at some point this winter. Nick.

 

[Eric K]

Its a 2005 F350 with a V10. It has a serpentine belt. I run a 9'-6" fisher Extreme V plow. I do driveways, so I use the plow alot. I also run some warning and backup lights, but they are LED so they don't draw much. For me to buy an OEM 115 amp alternator costs more than getting a 200 amp aftermarket one. Sort of a no brainer. Except I'll be spending extra to upgrade the wiring. Kind of like framing 16 o.c. instead of 24" o.c. My current alternator has bad diodes. In any case my headlights dim quite a bit when I run the plow. I am planning on adding a second battery as well at some point this winter. Nick.

Search the ford-trucks.com forum. I think there's an upgrade kit for the f series that comes with all the components needed to do the upgrade correctly.

 

[Work&Play]

Its a 2005 F350 with a V10. It has a serpentine belt. I run a 9'-6" fisher Extreme V plow. I do driveways, so I use the plow alot. I also run some warning and backup lights, but they are LED so they don't draw much. For me to buy an OEM 115 amp alternator costs more than getting a 200 amp aftermarket one. Sort of a no brainer. Except I'll be spending extra to upgrade the wiring. Kind of like framing 16 o.c. instead of 24" o.c. My current alternator has bad diodes. In any case my headlights dim quite a bit when I run the plow. I am planning on adding a second battery as well at some point this winter. Nick.

Look into DC power for an alternator.

 

[Randy Bush]

Look into DC power for an alternator.

I think that would be called a generator then 12v =12v
alternator 110= 12V

I could be wrong , but don't think so.

 

[tyb525]

Alternators put out about 14.5 volts.

 

[TimelessQuality]

The second battery made all the difference on my plow rig..

 

[Morning Wood]

Right now if I coast for a bit and then hit the accelerator my lights will brighten slightly. My alt is shot. Everything I've read says do alternator before second battery.

 

[Work&Play]

I think that would be called a generator then 12v =12v
alternator 110= 12V

I could be wrong , but don't think so.

The make very good HD alternators.

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/

 

[Morning Wood]

I checked their site, but they just showed alternators for the powerstroke.

 

[Eric K]

I checked their site, but they just showed alternators for the powerstroke.

That's the company I was thinking when I listed that other forum. Didn't know they only had powerstroke setups