270 amp alternator

[White Stripe]

How much does this alternator cost?

 

[nukegoat]

no, no and no. I just want the batteries(lithium) charged up for real and even with 150 amp they never are.

Thats not how electricity works

 

[baggar11]

Baggar11, i just went to the link you provided, 2 years ago you said you paid 630 bucks for one of these high output Alt. plus another 20 dollars shipping. I know this is a cool up grade, but that's still a lot of money, and since it been 2 years since you bought yours they may be even more expensive now.

Yeah, it very likely could be more expensive today. Plus, don't forget about upgrading cables. That was about another $100. Definitely not an upgrade for everyone. On another note, the alternator upgrade seems like it gave me the performance out of my headlights as others reported from using Slee's harness upgrade. So you save $48 there...

 

[nukegoat]

Yeah, it very likely could be more expensive today. Plus, don't forget about upgrading cables. That was about another $100. Definitely not an upgrade for everyone. On another note, the alternator upgrade seems like it gave me the performance out of my headlights as others reported from using Slee's harness upgrade. So you save $48 there...

Probably just slightly higher voltage

 

[Corbet]

Stock alt, well new stock alt in my truck as of last year. Keeps up just fine with constant winching while just running one battery. I do turn up the hand throttle to 1500-2000RPM when winching. I too don't understand the need of such output?

 

[RFB]

Stock alt, well new stock alt in my truck as of last year. Keeps up just fine with constant winching while just running one battery. I do turn up the hand throttle to 1500-2000RPM when winching. I too don't understand the need of such output?

ok how often do you live out fo your truck for a month or more at a time? My problem is even with 150 sequoia alternator installed, it does not keep dual batteries charged so now adding a lithium batter in the rear and talking to a few others that have added this "smart" alternator all batteries stayed charged all the way up. solar is another route but again sun dosent show itself very often anymore, and not enough to depend on. so I went this route

 

[EvanD]

For anyone like me who, until 10 minutes ago, had no idea a hand throttle was a thing:

 

[Dork]

ok how often do you live out fo your truck for a month or more at a time? My problem is even with 150 sequoia alternator installed, it does not keep dual batteries charged so now adding a lithium batter in the rear and talking to a few others that have added this "smart" alternator all batteries stayed charged all the way up. solar is another route but again sun dosent show itself very often anymore, and not enough to depend on. so I went this route

As was mentioned by others, if your alternator is working correctly, but isn't charging your batteries, something else is wrong in your system. A higher output might be able to charge them faster, but ANY alternator should be able to charge batteries in normal use.

While the engine is running, what's your voltage output?

 

[Corbet]

ok how often do you live out fo your truck for a month or more at a time? My problem is even with 150 sequoia alternator installed, it does not keep dual batteries charged so now adding a lithium batter in the rear and talking to a few others that have added this "smart" alternator all batteries stayed charged all the way up. solar is another route but again sun dosent show itself very often anymore, and not enough to depend on. so I went this route

What are you trying to run that takes all the juice? My fridge is always in my truck. But no I’m not living out of it for that duration.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

ok how often do you live out fo your truck for a month or more at a time? My problem is even with 150 sequoia alternator installed, it does not keep dual batteries charged so now adding a lithium batter in the rear and talking to a few others that have added this "smart" alternator all batteries stayed charged all the way up. solar is another route but again sun dosent show itself very often anymore, and not enough to depend on. so I went this route

RFB does not understand electricity. You don't need more amps, you don't even need 150 amps, and you are solving the wrong problem. IF your batteries won't stay fully charged on 90 amps, they won't stay charged on 150 amps, and 270 amps is just a number to waste even more of your money. Without seeing your truck in action, my guess is either Bad batteries, inadequate charge voltage, or huge parasitic losses when the key is off. A bigger alternator solves none of these problems.

@RFB, you should start over. Figure out your charging voltage, measure your parasitic losses, and replace your bad batteries. Calculate your loads. More amps does not mean more charging. Batteries can only accept charge so fast so even if your alternator has the capacity to make 300 amps, doesn't mean your batteries will accept even a fraction.

What is your system voltage (measured with DVM at the main battery terminals) when the truck is warmed up, running, and all loads (like lights, stereos, invertors etc) off?

I am trying to save you some $$ here.

 

[Dave 2000]

You may find the belt will struggle with that kind of loading, assuming you actually get to pull the amperage to max?

As an aside, a typical vehicle will put back a start charge in a few miles however, batteries rarely reach 100% charge.

Regards

Dave

 

[Jason Andrews]

Here is my $.02

Alternators are made to keep a battery charged NOT charge a battery up that is not at full charge prior to the engine being started. I would look at a trickle charger from those solar panels you have.

I have run a 170 amp alt for 9 years and I know the feeling since my truck sometimes sits for weeks or months between when it's started. IMHO a 270 alternator won't really solve the problem if your batteries are starting off below full charge. The problem is them being low to start with. I use a trickle charger from Harbor Freight for my dual Optima red tops and if they are running below 12.2 or 12.3v I charge them (takes me a couple days) to 13.2 to 13.8.