Extra Battery/Alternator Uprade or Not?!

[Surfinjoel85]

Good day all! 1992 FJ80 3FE. Installing a winch, light bar, and a few other running lights. Is an extra battery advised, also, I'm hearing of installing 150amp alternator. Any advice?

 

[bajaphile]

LED light bars draw a relatively low amount of current. The winch pulls a lot, but unless you're planning on using it a lot over long periods, the stock system is sufficient.

 

[benjrblant]

FWIW, I'm planning on installing a second battery and running all of my added electronics off the second battery. It's probably not necessary, but I like the idea of keeping my house/aftermarket electronic needs separate.

Fairly confident you can run lights and a winch off a single battery and be OK, but if you're of the "better to have and not need than better to need and not have" mentality, it's nice to have the extra capacity and ability to jump the other battery.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

No problem with your current set up.
I have never understood the real need for hi out put alt. even with lots of acc. Higher the alt rating the lower the reliability.

 

[canman]

Extra battery may be good for running accessories for extended periods, but probably not for just winching if you are careful. Higher output alt could be required if running lots of non LED lights, or a DC powered air compressor.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

my extra battery plan was about running accessories while camping without fear of draining the starting battery.

 

[Surfinjoel85]

This helps much. Thank you. I'll probably be putting that project on the back burner and focus time/energy/money elsewhere.

 

[Tapage]

I have never understood the real need for hi out put alt. even with lots of acc. Higher the alt rating the lower the reliability.

hi consumption less impact con your batteries with a hi amp alt .. and if you do Toyota amp .. don't think that would involve a reliability issue ..

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

hi consumption less impact con your batteries with a hi amp alt .. and if you do Toyota amp .. don't think that would involve a reliability issue ..

I would agree Toyota would most likely be the best choice if you had the need but past experience doesn't see the need or lost of battery life. Tons of 40/60 guys (including myself years back) out there loaded with accessories using a factory 58A alternator with no complains. The winter time my 80 batteries get a good workout heating my CampTeq and all done with a stock alternator on batteries going on there 6th years.

 

[Tapage]

In my case I would include a 16.5 Winch on my alternator demanding appliances .. and the main reason why I did move over stock alt.

 

[Dave 2000]

Pulling batteries down too low too often will shorten their life. Having a higher output alternator does not compromise reliability, where you get it from does.


regards

Dave

 

[jdayment]

Another thing is the 3FE really doesn't have alot of options for an alternator upgrade the 150A your referring to is a mod for the 1FZ

 

[Payara Offroad]

This is what I have done.

Install a double battery system with a master switch and hook all your accessories to it. Keep your main battery just for basic vehicle use.