Anyone ever have a second alternator put into there truck/Suv/Car?

[mkessler9]

Ok so for my own reasons I have been thinking about doing some upgrades to a truck(probably won't actually happen to this certain truck but just thinking into the future). To be specific the more serious one I'm thinking of or just seeing if my vehicle could even do it is adding a second alternator to my F-150.

 

Notice:

 

Please do not post anything under this unless you have something positive/useful to say about my idea or commenting about your own experiences

 

Question to the people:

 

So my question is to those of us who are car/truck enthusiasts on this forum have you ever added a second alternator to your truck/SUV? Or have you ever had one that has already come with 2 or even 3? Also do you know(from your own experience/knowledge) if a Ford f150 v8 would be capable of driving two alternators(I'm sure for some of my cases my current truck engine would not be able run steadily with all the extra power needed to pull the engine belt but still would be nice to know if it could)?  

 

Main overall Question: Would a F-150 4.6L V8 be able to drive two alternators with one alternator possibly being at (almost)full load at some points.

 

My idea: 

 

Here's my idea(s), I won't be doing this anytime soon(if ever) but this is just a fun idea for me to think about.

 

Use Cases:

 

1.Say I've been doing some camping where there has been no shore power. And then halfway through the weekend my camper batteries get pretty depleted. What I would do is just start up my truck and let it run for a while to charge up the batteries(Yes I know I would have to run the truck for quite a while).

2. Say with the second battery I add a 2000 watt inverter then I could run some different tools say a saw, drill, drill charger...etc just different things that I might need power for but would be easier to just hook up to the truck. 

 

 

The second alternator would also have its own separate battery(I would figure out somewhere to put it in the cab as in the engine area there is no space for a second battery). I was thinking it would also be cool to have the truck wired up to run all accessories(radio, speakers, lights etc...) off of the second battery just so I never have to worry about the main one dieing if something gets left on.  (This alternator I would be using would be the highest powered one that I would be able to purchase).

 

Question to the informed: 

 

Do you know what size of an alternator(amperage) you would need to run a auxiliary air conditioner(say one that requires 1600 watts at 120volts) that's running off of an inverter? Or if it would require multiple of them? Reason: Just curious. 

 

Notes:

 

1. I know this probably isn't the best forum to ask this on but oh well.

2. The reasoning in this is basically all just because I want to, there's really no need for all this but to me it would be pretty cool to have. 

3. Non of this is really practical but like I said it's just a because I want to, and see if it's actually possible and what happens...

4. I know the easiest solution would probably be just to buy a generator but who cares! I just want to do this.

5. For this case it would be best to have a diesel truck, which would be nice to have but if I where to get one it would be a while till that time. 

6. To me this would basically just be a big experiment 

7. I'm aware some vehicles do have multiple alternators... 

[Syntaxvgm]

I don't have much advice or experience in this, but I have seen trucks with multiple alternators before for multiple batteries. I'm talking 4+. 

[Aniallation]

A friend of mine had a second alternator put into his older Silverado to run an inverter to power work tools and such, not sure how it was done but he says it's just easier to get a generator. 

[Syntaxvgm]

A friend of mine had a second alternator put into his older Silverado to run an inverter to power work tools and such, not sure how it was done but he says it's just easier to get a generator. 

I know someone with a generator on the back of his van. Quite nice, but loud. 

[Flyguygamer]

I have a second alternator in one of the planes I rent. 

[ddbtkd456]

I know someone with a generator on the back of his van. Quite nice, but loud. 

 

That's not creepy at all...

[terrytek]

I've never really seen more than 1 alternator in a car. Well, probably because I only work with JDM cars. not USDM trucks.

[Charger]

I want to say i have seen people doing this on off road forums where they would install a second one and use it as a welder and converting ac units to air compressors on trucks

 

About all i could say on the subject would be look at off road forums and you may come across some people doing things like this

[Syntaxvgm]

That's not creepy at all...

You have no idea how creepy this man is. 

[ddbtkd456]

Ok so for my own reasons I have been thinking about doing some upgrades to a truck(probably won't actually happen to this certain truck but just thinking into the future). To be specific the more serious one I'm thinking of or just seeing if my vehicle could even do it is adding a second alternator to my F-150.

 

Notice:

 

Please do not post anything under this unless you have something positive/useful to say about my idea or commenting about your own experiences

 

Question to the people:

 

So my question is to those of us who are car/truck enthusiasts on this forum have you ever added a second alternator to your truck/SUV? Or have you ever had one that has already come with 2 or even 3? Also do you know(from your own experience/knowledge) if a Ford f150 v8 would be capable of driving two alternators(I'm sure for some of my cases my current truck engine would not be able run steadily with all the extra power needed to pull the engine belt but still would be nice to know if it could)?  

 

Main overall Question: Would a F-150 4.6L V8 be able to drive two alternators with one alternator possibly being at (almost)full load at some points.

 

My idea: 

 

Here's my idea(s), I won't be doing this anytime soon(if ever) but this is just a fun idea for me to think about.

 

Use Cases:

 

1.Say I've been doing some camping where there has been no shore power. And then halfway through the weekend my camper batteries get pretty depleted. What I would do is just start up my truck and let it run for a while to charge up the batteries(Yes I know I would have to run the truck for quite a while).

2. Say with the second battery I add a 2000 watt inverter then I could run some different tools say a saw, drill, drill charger...etc just different things that I might need power for but would be easier to just hook up to the truck. 

 

 

The second alternator would also have its own separate battery(I would figure out somewhere to put it in the cab as in the engine area there is no space for a second battery). I was thinking it would also be cool to have the truck wired up to run all accessories(radio, speakers, lights etc...) off of the second battery just so I never have to worry about the main one dieing if something gets left on.  (This alternator I would be using would be the highest powered one that I would be able to purchase).

 

Question to the informed: 

 

Do you know what size of an alternator(amperage) you would need to run a auxiliary air conditioner(say one that requires 1600 watts at 120volts) that's running off of an inverter? Or if it would require multiple of them? Reason: Just curious. 

 

Notes:

 

1. I know this probably isn't the best forum to ask this on but oh well.

2. The reasoning in this is basically all just because I want to, there's really no need for all this but to me it would be pretty cool to have. 

3. Non of this is really practical but like I said it's just a because I want to, and see if it's actually possible and what happens...

4. I know the easiest solution would probably be just to buy a generator but who cares! I just want to do this.

5. For this case it would be best to have a diesel truck, which would be nice to have but if I where to get one it would be a while till that time. 

6. To me this would basically just be a big experiment 

7. I'm aware some vehicles do have multiple alternators... 

 

Alot of older (not too old tho) F-250 and F-350's came with 2 alternators each hooked to its own battery...I know this cause it was a mess to jump it...there meant for farm trucks that idol alot tho.

[ddbtkd456]

You have no idea how creepy this man is. 

 

Hahahaha.....I can believe it...

[mkessler9]

I have a second alternator in one of the planes I rent. 

Umm... How do you fly planes if you are only 14?

[Aniallation]

I know someone with a generator on the back of his van. Quite nice, but loud. 

 

I've heard generators a lot quieter then the engine of that Silverado (first gen 2500HD I believe with the 6L) at idle lol 

[mkessler9]

Alot of older (not too old tho) F-250 and F-350's came with 2 alternators each hooked to its own battery...I know this cause it was a mess to jump it...there meant for farm trucks that idol alot tho.

Yea, I'm aware just haven't been able to find many places talking about it. And wanting to see if anyone on this fourm has tried it with a f-150

[ddbtkd456]

Umm... How do you fly planes if you are only 14?

 

Classic...can't even drive but dammit hes flying.

[ddbtkd456]

I've heard generators a lot quieter then the engine of that Silverado (first gen 2500HD I believe with the 6L) at idle lol 

 

The newer silverado diseals are very very very quiet tho, almost like a unleaded truck running.

[ddbtkd456]

Yea, I'm aware just haven't been able to find many places talking about it. And wanting to see if anyone on this fourm has tried it with a f-150

 

My uncle did it to his older one...I think it was like a 96, but I couldn't tell you how he did it....I just know we had to fix something on it and I asked him how come it had 2 alternators & 2 batteries in it (I was young) he said he did that....so it can be done.

[Syntaxvgm]

I've heard generators a lot quieter then the engine of that Silverado (first gen 2500HD I believe with the 6L) at idle lol 

well the one he has on there I mean. 

[Flyguygamer]

Umm... How do you fly planes if you are only 14?

You can start flying at any age. You cant get your ppl until you are 17 but I started fly at 10. If you have more questions or want to know more send me a pm.

[mkessler9]

My uncle did it to his older one...I think it was like a 96, but I couldn't tell you how he did it....I just know we had to fix something on it and I asked him how come it had 2 alternators & 2 batteries in it (I was young) he said he did that....so it can be done.

Cool, Yea I kind of figured it could be at least done as far as hooking everything up. I'm really just wondering now how well it would run at idle with a fairly big load on the alternators.

[Vendetta]

Unless your engine is knocking and and its way out the door it will EASILY handle a second alternator. People put multiple on tiny little Honda 4 bangers all the time for bass vehicles.

[ddbtkd456]

Cool, Yea I kind of figured it could be at least done as far as hooking everything up. I'm really just wondering now how well it would run at idle with a fairly big load on the alternators.

 

Well truckers have it so they don't have to run there engine all night, so I'm sure it would work great as long as you could figure out how to switch them back and forth...or use two alternators on a single battery.

[Syntaxvgm]

Unless your engine is knocking and and its way out the door it will EASILY handle a second alternator. People put multiple on tiny little Honda 4 bangers all the time for bass vehicles.

Yep. As far as I know you can even make your own bracket. Basically you just use a serpentine belt that's way too long and mount the alternators on a rail, far enough apart to get the belt tight. 

[Vendetta]

Yep. As far as I know you can even make your own bracket. Basically you just use a serpentine belt that's way to long and mount the alternators on a rail, far enough apart to get the belt tight. 

Yea you pretty much HAVE to make your own bracket. But yes you are correct, you use a longer belt and just make sure you mount it so it keeps the belt tight. If the OP wasn't aware this is DEFINITELY a 2 person job. Belts are seriously a fucking pain in the ass if you don't have extremely open clearance to your loosening pulley. Which on new cars is like damn near impossible to get to without ripping out 50 pounds of plastic cover bullshit and probably a radiator lol

[mkessler9]

Yep. As far as I know you can even make your own bracket. Basically you just use a serpentine belt that's way to long and mount the alternators on a rail, far enough apart to get the belt tight. 

Well this has made me want to do this project even more! Too bad I'm saving up for a new gamingish laptop right now (very tempted to just say screw it and get a mechanic to do the wiring and everything that I want done) Lol