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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

boost a charging system?

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Farmer in the D

12-10-2005 06:19:55




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If I have a gas engine with an added electric operated snowplow its puts a bit of stress on the system. My lights go dim and heater slows when I move the plow. Can I up the output by putting a higher output alternator on to give the pump more, or will that cause me problems with other systems?




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RN

12-10-2005 16:44:00




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
From my days at the Jeep dealer- When putting Meyers electrolift on CJs, Remove 35 amp Motorola alternator, replace with 55 amp Delco with small pulley to start. Large battery next, heavy cables came with plow kit. This was in early 70's. RN



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RWK in WI

12-10-2005 16:28:02




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Yes, a bigger alternator will help.
Yes, either a bigger battery or dual batteries will also help. Yes, heavy cables will help.
But if you put in a larger alternator be sure you get a voltage regulator to handle it and rewire it with heavy enough wire to handle the alternator output. Don't try to put heavy duty alternator output through origional wire or you will have melted insulation or worse.
I hope this helps you.

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thejdman01

12-10-2005 15:04:30




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
on my 96 gmc plow truck w/the dual batteries and a 160 amp alternater (no it wont hurt anything) (local starter/alt rebuild shop all he does put different windings in it) and it still dims it pretty well (but it never goes below twelve volts so i am not discharging batteries too bad). but i am not professionally plowing and do a few driveways however inbetween driveways etc batters recharge and i am not constantly raising and turning plow. also dont raise plow all the way up unless you ahve to

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T_Bone

12-10-2005 12:13:32




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Hi FITD's,

The way I see it is your existing battery and charging system doesn't have the capicity to carry the load demand.

I would install a second battery to run the hydraulic pump. Besure sure this battery can handle the pump current demand, then install a battery isolator to your current charging system. The isolator will allow current charging into the 2nd battery but block current demand from your existing battery.

If you can't satisfiy current demand with a single 2nd battery then you will need install another battery on that circuit and/or install a larger alternator.

T_Bone

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doogdoog

12-10-2005 11:17:52




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Aloha, Yep I agree with all the answers, bigger battery, alternator, battery cable and feed cable to the pump motor. A larger capacity battery by itself won't work out if the alternator can't keep up the charge. Too much voltage drop if the wires can't pass the increased current.

Mahalo,
doogdoog



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John T

12-10-2005 09:36:05




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Dells, NO, a higher amp alternator shouldnt hurt other things, its regulator ought to allow the higher amps when needed but then back off its amperage output once the battery is fully charged. As far as your other problem, remedies which can help are a higher rated battery,,,,,bigger wires that feed the pump,,,,and have all wiring connections clean n tight plus good grounds.

John T, retired electrical engineer in Indiana

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Jim K

12-10-2005 07:20:30




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
I plow for a hospital in north central Ma. and we have a "98" Chevy that had the same problem,
What we did was go to the highest amp alternator that we could then we added a second battery,
but make sure that the batteries are a perfgect match. We went with 800 CCA. We also used 4-0 welding cables to wire them in.
Remember the mantra that Dell the "self appointed sparkie expert" Preaches.
"Clean bright and tight" I wonder if he'll have that written for his epitaph. No disrespect Dell.
Jim K

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evielboweviel

12-10-2005 07:15:22




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
install the biggest battery that will fit, run 2/0 cables to pump. add a second battery if still having problems. alternator charges all the time it is needed. you are pulling short burst heavy loads for the pump = bigger battery and cables
OR
rev the motor until the valves float when raising the pump so the alternator is at full output. good luck
Ron



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old

12-10-2005 07:09:19




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Well think of it this way. If you have a plain jane chev pickup you have an alternator thats rated for about 48 amps. But if you have a caddy with all the bells and wistles you have an alternator thats rated around 100 amps. Your are tring to run with a plain jane set up instead of a caddy, you need the caddy system.



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Bill(Wis)

12-10-2005 06:56:52




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Allan gave you the professionally right answer. You've definitely "maxed out" your system. On the other hand.....how often do you use your plow? I know all about living in Wisconsin. What I mean is, do you do custom plowing? Is your driveway three miles long? How long have you lived with it this way? Does your battery go dead? Does it do it in daytime when your lights are not on? If it's just a momentary thing and you only use it for plowing your own driveway you could probably live with it with no damage.

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Allan in NE

12-10-2005 06:23:39




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 12-10-2005 06:19:55  
Yep,

That's exactly what you need. Maybe even consider a bigger battery too.

Won't hurt it a bit.

Allan



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Mark - IN.

12-10-2005 06:46:58




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 Re: boost a charging system? in reply to Allan in NE, 12-10-2005 06:23:39  
Good morning Allan. I agree with you on both. Overdriving his existing alternator will take it's toll in time and the biggest battery that will fit in the tray isn't a bad idea. Might consider the guage of his wiring too, or moving to a place that never snows. LOL. Have a good day.

Mark



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