Power issues

[Lynden-Jeff]

Hey,

Well just got back in from my first storm. I have a diesel 04 F250, dual battery single alternator. When I was at one place for a little while I noticed the lights started to dim, radio would shut off every time I operate the plow. I am just running the plow, heater, radio, and dual 55w halogen rotator. I even made the mistake of shutting off the truck to shovel and it was completely dead when I tried to start it. When I'm not using the plow the truck is fine as far as electrical is concerned. What would cause this? Could it be a bad battery? If it was a bad alternator I would figure the truck wouldn't be running at all?

Thanks
Jeff

 

[bushpilot]

get yourself one of those cyberdyne plug-in volt meters...
CYBERDYNE plug-in volt meter

when the truck isnt running itll display the battery voltage...
when the truck *IS* running itll show the alternator charge (output)
level.

do you have the hi-idle / bcp mod ? when you STOP moving it would
idle up to try and bring those batteries up to stuff (if theyre low).

might be time for an alternator upgrade (something more than 100amps),
but w/out some "metering" for problem diagnoses youll really just be
guessing at the problem source ! if you load test the batteries make sure
you i isolate 'em COMPLETELY (other wise youll get the combined cca)

 

[RoyBoy]

Check/ clean your battery connections and load test the batteries while they are disconnected and fully charged. Check your system voltage running, should be around 14.5 volts.

 

[bushpilot]

Check/ clean your battery connections and load test the batteries while they are disconnected and fully charged. Check your system voltage running, should be around 14.5 volts.

interesting you say that roy...mine has RARELY been that high...i would
expect it to be around 14.3 even the mid 13s but it RARELY has ever been
14.3 even...and thats after a GOOD HEAVY DRAIN from the audio system.

ive been concerned that its tasking my batteries but ive never been stranded
<yet>

 

[RoyBoy]

interesting you say that roy...mine has RARELY been that high...i would
expect it to be around 14.3 even the mid 13s but it RARELY has ever been
14.3 even...and thats after a GOOD HEAVY DRAIN from the audio system.

ive been concerned that its tasking my batteries but ive never been stranded
<yet>

you're prolly right bush, I just use 14.5 as a general mark, 14.3 would be fine too

 

[atk]

also wouldn`t hurt to do an amp draw test on the plow pump motor. if it is drawing to much power, the alt. won`t beable to keep up to recharge the batteries, do to the fact that you are not much more off idle(rpm) when plowing...there is a certain rpm where the alt. puts out max amps....just my ....


you got more snow your way then we did... ....

 

[bushpilot]

you're prolly right bush, I just use 14.5 as a general mark, 14.3 would be fine too

agreed and thats what i would expect too...but im not sure ive EVER
seen that...even from day ONE ! in fact i RARELY see more than 13.4v
even at FULL tilt goin down the road w/ no real draw.

on the other hand under throttle (70+mph) i can pull the system down
to as little as 11.9v (w/ everything turned on)

 

[Lynden-Jeff]

Is the stock alternator really only 100 amps? If so I think that will be my next upgrade. The plow is a 60 amp plow and im sure the rest of the stuff could use 20-30 amps. If I were to upgrade what brand would you guys recommend and amperage?

also wouldn`t hurt to do an amp draw test on the plow pump motor. if it is drawing to much power, the alt. won`t beable to keep up to recharge the batteries, do to the fact that you are not much more off idle(rpm) when plowing...there is a certain rpm where the alt. puts out max amps....just my ....


you got more snow your way then we did... ....

Yea we got hammered and then the rain slowed us down. I went out for 24 hours and then cleaned up for more then 12. Some one else mentioned the plow pump but my dealer said it was unlikely however if the batteries and alternator check out then they will test it.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[RoyBoy]

Is the stock alternator really only 100 amps? If so I think that will be my next upgrade. The plow is a 60 amp plow and im sure the rest of the stuff could use 20-30 amps.

You need to remember that the plow is still an intermittent load, the batteries will absorb the rest. I have a 16,500 lb winch on the trailer that draws ALOT more than that, and it never is a problem, but I have a total of 3 good batteries in line (2 on the truck one on the trailer).

 

[bushpilot]

Is the stock alternator really only 100 amps? If so I think that will be my next upgrade. The plow is a 60 amp plow and im sure the rest of the stuff could use 20-30 amps. If I were to upgrade what brand would you guys recommend and amperage?

iirc the single alternator config. was offered in a two different
levels 110a and 135a.

i dont know how you determine which one is installed.

there are all KINDS of options out there...and ive seen
some offerings into the 300a & 400a range (big bucks!)

heres one that addresses the issue specifically -->
Alternator upgrade for Ford 7.3L & 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel

high output alternator - Google Search