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Recommended High-Output Alternator Sources


kd6aaj

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Hi everyone, this is my first post. I'm a journeyman electrician and amateur radio operator. I live in Humboldt County, California.

I was wondering which Alternator you would recommend for my 89 Ranger, 2.9L, 4X4 with AC.

I run amateur radio transceivers; one, a HF (High-Frequency) Rig, uses up to 20Amps (user adjustable), the other, VHF, is up to 10 Amps (user adjustable).

Other accessories may run at the same time. I figure at least 50Amps over stock would do, but more is good.

My stock alternator can't handle the current draw;

The headlights dim and the heater fan slows down when transmitting on high power with VHF.

With the HF Radio, I have to turn off the heater fan if my headlights are on.
 


mjonesjr

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I am running a 200A PowerMaster. I had to fab up a little upper bracket extender to get it installed. It powers all my acessories without any problem. Stock is like 65A.
 

gizmo_21

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hey bud, theres a great article in the tech lib

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/alternator.htm

Hopefully this helps, (i'm a 4.0L guy so i just grabed a 130A from a newer explorer it's an extra 35A from my stock one!!!)

The 2.9 uses an "offset ear" alternator. Other applications that use the same alternator case are the 1.9-liter Escorts, 2.3 Tempo/Topaz and 2.5 liter Taurus.

The Escorts can have anything from a 40amp alternator to a 90amp
The Tempo's will typically have a 60amp or a 75amp.
The Taurus's will usually have a 75amp alternator.

A 130amp alternator from a 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis is said to be a direct bolt on for a 2.3 and not require a pulley change.

There is also a 90amp alternator built on the small diameter internal fan case but with a pivot mount that will bolt to the 2.9 engine brackets, look on later Ford Tempo's.
The problem with this alternator is that pulley alignment is a serious problem.
 

bigpotato555

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i am looking me also for an after marquet 200 amp.....there is some on ebay...boss alternator but a guy i know boutgh one and have it chek an it didn not push more amp then a stock one.....i have a 10 000lbs winch so need something big..for 2.9l
 

Will

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No, no, no.

No alternator could keep up with a winch. You need batteries to run a winch. A 10,000# winch means nothing. What is the current draw? A wristwatch motor could pull 10,000# with efficient gearing. A Warn XD9000i draws 460amps at max load and that is a high horsepower winch with lots of speed. You can't get enough horsepower out of an alternator drive belt to operate it--it runs off the batteries. Problem is, you don't want to run it too much because they are not cooled. They are intermittent motors--seconds of use at a time. If you are having trouble running your winch, get a good battery. I have a 800cca WalMart yellow truck battery. Every few years I claim it's bad and they give me a new one with a $30 charge.

Another thing about alterators. If you really need to use one as a continous source of electricity (they are only designed as battery chargers really, with short high loads in mind) don't buy one rebuilt for higher loads. It's the same frame with a bullshit kit in it. It won't have the low rpm charge you need and the frame is too small for the high continous load. You can get a 200amp out of a Superduty to work I think. I have the basic piece of shit alternator and have no trouble with the winch. I have to wait a little if I am really deep shit--but 99% of the time I don't notice that I have an 80amp alterator.
 

bobbywalter

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My credo
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i dont agree.


2-3 batteries and a 90- 130 amp alt.


the batts stayed topped and all the reg shit runs without worry.

get a second alt to weld with or use to power whatever, and or stage the batts for that. this seems the most cost effective as you use junkyard or factory type readily available parts and dont have to care when they get murdered by goo. i spent some coin on alternators and starters...learned a hard lesson too.
 

bigpotato555

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Well it's a champion 10 000lbs...I have not install it yet...but they are supose to be slow...real slow.. and eat low of current. I have the biggest NAPA battery a 1100 CCA they are for police car...anyway I hook the winch and just pressing the button...not pulling anything and the battery gauge drop almost to the floor. I guess your 80 amp is good...but i doubt my 2.9l has a 80 amp.
 

AllanD

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Unless you are transmitting on both your HF and your VHF/UHF radio at
the same time you are only pulling about 20amps at maximum.

I'd be suprised if you actually had an alternator bigger than 60amp, MABEY a 75Amp..

Ford Did make a 95Amp alternator on that frame (they were used in
escort GT's of all things)

the GOOD news is that because you have an '89 it is POSSIBLE to fit one of the later "internal fan" alternators and they made those in 95Amp and 130Amp.

I'm actually looking to do that as a "kit" for my brother's 2.9 truck
(he has a 40Amp now)

the neat thing is it should be possible to fit the later alternator with an alternator and "pigtail" swap from another (later) ford.

I don't need to do it to my truck, I've got a 4.0 and it already has a 130amp on it.

I'll try to get back to you after I do a bit more research on the subject.

AD
 

AllanD

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I believe the G3 alternator off of a 4.9 Econoline will mount up

that and a 1993-94 Explorer alternator rat-tail and it should bolt right up and plug right in.

It's a matter of getting a G3 alternator that mounts on a pivot bolt
and a 120degree adjustment ear location, so it'd bolt up like the current alt does.

AD
 

AllanD

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AllanD got any updated about this one??
Workin on it...

I need to determine what application used the 6 O-Clock pivot ear
and a 2 O-Clock adjuster ear... I think it was on some 90's vintage Econolines...

If I can find one with the right "Ear" orientation shimming the pulley for alignment isn't too difficult...

But like I said on a Gen2 the wiring in is painless as there is an exsisting wire to do it.

On my '87 mounting my 130amp 3g alternator was child's play...
It bolted right to the 4.0 engine I swapped into my truck:)

I have a 130amp with a 6&12 mount it's the 6&2 mount I can't pin down...

AD
 

kd6aaj

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Well, I'm still here...5 yrs later. Late thanks for all the replies. I eneded up getting a new alternator from O'reily's (formerly Kragen).

It seems you have to drive a vehicle once in a while or the batteries sulfate and fail. I've been through several batteries. I quit buying the ones at O'Reily's because a battery should not die after sitting for 2 weeks.

Even my Napa Auto battery fails after a few weeks to 1 month of non-use, and the current draw is milliamps, so evidenty that's all it takes. Considering adding a battery switch and a solar charger. I only drove it 100 miles this year, and zero miles last year!

My original plans were to add a second battery tray and battery isolator, perhaps a second alternator. There is very little room under the hood.

Later!
 

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