the old alternator can't handle it

[Big_Red]

hi guys,

just looking for a bit of advise. ive recently pluged in all of my lights to the truck about +700w draw if all being used (plus winch on top of that). the old alternator obviously doesnt enjoy the huge draw. any ideas on what is the best way to get around this problem.
ie. get one big alternator, or put in a second.

also which is a better way to go as far as star/delta windings.

cheers fellas look forward to some tips.

[Shadow]

Apparently a 100series Turbo Diesel is a big altenator 100+amp and would probably suit your needs. It is physically bigger but shouldnt be too hard to fit. I dont think it has a vac pump though (if you have a diesel?) as i believe the brakes are electrically assisted in the 100series.

Fitting a second altenator to charge the same battery would be tricky i think. Youd probably need to run some fat diodes to make sure current doesnt flow between altenators?! Maybe an auto elec can answer that. I didna search but cant find any posts talking about linking two altenators into the same system.

To simplify things you could run a seperate altenator to a seperate battery and shift all your lights over to that battery. At least then your start battery wont be in danger of being flattened. This second altenator would be a fat one (100series?) which would also drive your winch.

[killalux]

i would run two alternators personally, would be no need to seperate the alt's at all, just hook them both to same battery. of cause you will loose some HP spinning two alt's.

changing the alt windings will get more output, but it will also mean the alt will not start charging till higher in rev range, not good in 4wd when crawling alot.

[Reddo]

Had the same prob in the 40 series. Fitting a larger alternator with vac pump was far too costly (both new and 2d hand) so fitted another cheap common alt from a VL Commodore (80 amp) and just wired it into the existing charging system. It only draws engine power when in use and has the benefit of being a back-up when the Yota alt plays up (which is often cause of water and mud)