Dual alternator on a 8.3 - Page 2

Rusty · 06-09-2017, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Seriously, this is a piece of the conversion that I would be better off buying an off the shelf solution than trying to build it myself.

Is this off the shelf enough?

NEW 24V ALTERNATOR FITS CUMMINS ENGINE INDUSTRIAL B C K L SERIES 10459002 10459057
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Price: $192.95 & FREE Shipping

Robin97396 · 06-09-2017, 01:31 PM

Since I have a FE bus, even at the 5.9, I can't imagine getting another alternator up there where I already can't reach. I'd like the redundant power source idea and appreciate that it can be 24 volt. I was thinking of just a HO alternator.

Yes the Dodge forum is geared toward 5.9s, but we're only talking about pulleys and belts. It would be pretty simple to weld two single alternator brackets together. It takes a long time to build a bracket like that from scratch.

I'm not familiar with the RE buses engine compartment, but it sounds like you'd have adequate space to mount another alternator.

That's what's fun about building a bus. Figuring out how to do the things we're not supposed to be able to do.

Brewerbob · 06-09-2017, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

I'm not familiar with the RE buses engine compartment, but it sounds like you'd have adequate space to mount another alternator.

I've got room for two of your quad alternator setups. Of course I could either drive the bus or drive the alternators at that point but there's lots of room on an RE.

Quote:

That's what's fun about building a bus. Figuring out how to do the things we're not supposed to be able to do.

^This^

Robin97396 · 06-09-2017, 02:07 PM

I can't reach up to the front of my engine through the doghouse. Then again I don't have house batteries yet either. I like the separate alternator idea as a means of charging while traveling. I have no idea how to accomplish that in a FE bus though. Even installing a single HO alternator pretty much requires pulling the radiator.

I'm going to stick with just a generator for off grid for a year or two, and will likely have a few house batteries so I can run a TV on the mountain tops after dark.

Brewerbob · 06-09-2017, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Even installing a single HO alternator pretty much requires pulling the radiator.

Damn, didn't know it was that tight in an FE. Glad I don't have one. Sounds like dog nose is the way to go if you just gotta have an FE.

PNW_Steve · 06-09-2017, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Is this off the shelf enough?

NEW 24V ALTERNATOR FITS CUMMINS ENGINE INDUSTRIAL B C K L SERIES 10459002 10459057
Be the first to review this item
Price: $192.95 & FREE Shipping

It is a thing of beauty!!

If it only came with a bracket to accomodate a dual alternator setup. Unfortunately it does not...

PNW_Steve · 06-09-2017, 02:17 PM

Room is not an issue on my RE. Plenty of space.

I can sit in the engine compartment next to the motor....

Brewerbob · 06-09-2017, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

It is a thing of beauty!!

If it only came with a bracket to accomodate a dual alternator setup. Unfortunately it does not...

I don't think your '02 is set up the same as my '99. The routing of the turbo is different I believe. I don't know if that's because it is an '02 or because the bus I was looking at had the MD3060. If it is absolutely the same, I might could make you a bracket.

PNW_Steve · 06-09-2017, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

I don't think your '02 is set up the same as my '99. The routing of the turbo is different I believe. I don't know if that's because it is an '02 or because the bus I was looking at had the MD3060. If it is absolutely the same, I might could make you a bracket.

Here are a couple of engine compartment pics:

PNW_Steve · 06-09-2017, 02:47 PM

BrewerBob,

Any assistance would be appreciated.

I am not even sure where to put it and how to reroute the serpentine belt.

Robin97396 · 06-09-2017, 03:11 PM

Prices like this is why I'd spend a day building a dual alternator bracket.
https://www.nationsstarteralternator...ak-bracket.htm

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/brackets-...r-bracket.html

PA-Performance is dedicated to offering high quality products to every consumer utilizing the Internet. - PA Performance - You Only Buy Quality Once ! 1. 877. 471. 8010

There's some interesting reading on this subject. It seems to be a popular idea as opposed to getting a HO alternator specifically for redundancy.

I've seen people buy a two alternator bracket and still have to modify it to make things fit. That's why it's just about as easy to make your own bracket.

Now I'm wondering if I could mount an additional alternator down low below the crankshaft on this FE so I can mount and reach it from underneath. That's a project for when I'm not involved in painting the bus.

This will be interesting, and I'd say you've got more than a couple people wanting to copy this process.

dan-fox · 06-09-2017, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Here are a couple of engine compartment pics:

Man, that's clean enough to eat off of! It didn't come that way did it?

superdave · 06-09-2017, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

BrewerBob,

Any assistance would be appreciated.

I am not even sure where to put it and how to reroute the serpentine belt.

you can get another pully to drive the alt like they do for ac. less stress on the existing belt. you will need to have a mount fabbed up but wont be too pricey.

cadillackid · 06-09-2017, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

It's real. I can't imagine why, but it's real.

DUB cars with 5000 watt plus sound systems are often outfitted with lots of alternators and batteries
-Christopher

Robin97396 · 06-09-2017, 06:10 PM

The string of four chrome alternators does look kind of pretty.

I like the redundancy theory of using two common inexpensive alternators that could easily be replaced while in a foreign country, like Kanada.

Dead pirate · 06-09-2017, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Dead Pirate --- does your 260 have an external rectifier? And how do you have it wired into your system?

Yes. It is switched. It can charge when the bank is just a little low. If it's below 10 volts Its too much of a drain and blows the circuit.

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Tango · 06-09-2017, 07:29 PM

Thanks...good to know --- I am hoping to be able to top off my house bank with the 250 I have installed. Just need to figure out how best to control it all.

Dead pirate · 06-09-2017, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Thanks...good to know --- I am hoping to be able to top off my house bank with the 250 I have installed. Just need to figure out how best to control it all.

Someone suggested that i run it through the solar charge controller. It can regulate the flow proper.

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Dead pirate · 06-09-2017, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead pirate

Someone suggested that i run it through the solar charge controller. It can regulate the flow proper.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

I run it through a 30 amp controller

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Dead pirate · 06-09-2017, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Thanks...good to know --- I am hoping to be able to top off my house bank with the 250 I have installed. Just need to figure out how best to control it all.

Not sure if i said or not, but acontroller of some kind is needed. If the house bank is too low when you engage the alternator it will be a huge draw and ohms law and stuff.

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