LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Dual Alternator

I need lots of amps, more than one alternator could provide.

I need to be able to power up to 500 watts for the stereo constantly, as well as up to 1000 watts pretty consistently off and on, plus any lighting I add in the future.

I figured a dual battery setup with dual alternators would be a good start for a reliable electrical system.

Do you think it would be enough or too much?

Thanks guys for the replies. I will probably do as suggested with the Yellow Top Optima and the Mean Green alt.

What do you think about an alternator step up kit? Increases the diameter of the alternator pulley wheel so that it spins faster, therefore producing more charge at idle. Does anyone know where to get a decent one and a new belt with longer length?

I will probably be using most of my wattage at idle.

MiniDevil wrote:

Again...
That is what the Yellow top is for. Once again the alternator, or as chrysler like to call it now, the Generator ONLY is allowed to charge when the PCM calls upon it based upon battery temp info from the temp sensor located under the battery in the battery tray. Stepping up the alt/gen pulley might do you no good except empty your wallet faster. The Generator does NOT charge in the way we are used to the older ones charging.

Need a new mind set on this.

Author:	MiniDevil [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Dual Alternator
I searched the forum and didn't really see anything relevent. Does anyone have a dual alternator setup? If so, what was necessary to achieve this? I would like to run two alternators.

Author:	KJFROG [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:31 pm ]
Post subject:
I'm sure you could fab something, I have not seen a kit, do you just need more amps? You could use the powermaster http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/mopar1.html

Author:	MiniDevil [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:
I need lots of amps, more than one alternator could provide. I need to be able to power up to 500 watts for the stereo constantly, as well as up to 1000 watts pretty consistently off and on, plus any lighting I add in the future. I figured a dual battery setup with dual alternators would be a good start for a reliable electrical system. Do you think it would be enough or too much?

Author:	FL RENNY [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:
MiniDevil wrote: I need lots of amps, more than one alternator could provide. I need to be able to power up to 500 watts for the stereo constantly, as well as up to 1000 watts pretty consistently off and on, plus any lighting I add in the future. I figured a dual battery setup with dual alternators would be a good start for a reliable electrical system. Do you think it would be enough or too much? What about a powercap for the stereo setup....that might be a better route?

Author:	tjkj2002 [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:40 pm ]
Post subject:
Mean Green alternator,202amp,part# MG1387. You should never need anymore then that unless you want to run a onboard welder.I run a 750watt amp with the stock 136amp alt with no problems,run a WARN winch,and 6 AUX lights,but I also have a Optima Yellow Top battery.A good battery ment for heavy loads will help way more then a powercap ever will.Also a dual battery set-up isn't required either unless you have a welder or winch alot with the vehicle off. A dual alternator set-up on a KJ would be very pricey to do since room is a premium under the hood

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Author:	Frostednutz [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:30 pm ]
Post subject:
i've already looked into a duel alternator setup and the kj just doesn't seem to have the room under the hood. if you could have a duel pulley on one alternator then run a short... very short belt to the second alternator it could be done. a custom bracket, belt, 2nd battery, custom 2 belt pulley and you'd be good to go.

Author:	JL Rockies [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:
To get an idea of how much current your system will realistically draw: ((total system power x .20) * 2) / 12.5 Example" 10000 Watts x .2 = 200 200 x 2 = 400 400 / 12.5 = 32 amps Due to the dynamic nature of music, most people will use 20% of the amps power on average when listening to it. Most amps operate on 50% efficiency especially when clipping is factored. The vehicle will need 60 - 80 amps of current to operate. Hopefully, this does not result in more PM's questioning the laws of physics like last time.

Author:	JPaul [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:
Did you mean to put 1,000 watts or 10,000 watts JL? Based on your calculation it looks like you meant to type 1,000. And don't worry, I recognize the formula for watts - amps - voltage !! (W over VI)

Author:	ihatemybike [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:11 am ]
Post subject:
MiniDevil wrote: I need lots of amps, more than one alternator could provide. I need to be able to power up to 500 watts for the stereo constantly, as well as up to 1000 watts pretty consistently off and on, plus any lighting I add in the future. I figured a dual battery setup with dual alternators would be a good start for a reliable electrical system. Do you think it would be enough or too much? Getting ready to Jeep Dance?

Author:	WoodysKJ [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:31 am ]
Post subject:
Listen to Troy. The charging system of our KJ's is much different to ones in the past. I have been told that in an efforet to protect the PCM and other computer components in the KJ, the charging system draws from the battery FIRST and then calls on the Atl/Gen to re-plenish the battery as needed. That is why the new generation of Deep Cycle batteries work so well. They have the reserve power to allow the extra toys without needing to add the huge alt/gen of the past. As you use your lights, stereo, winches, what ever, they will be drawing from a battery that is not designed to power all that stuff. A deep cycle is designed to do that. IF you want more amps from an alt/gen, the Mean Green is the highest amp alt for the KJ on the market THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO WORK THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK! Others out there, but the 202 amp MG1387 is you best bet. BUT it will only do what the PCM tells it to do. PERIOD. Deep cycle battery is the best route to start with.

Author:	MiniDevil [ Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:
Thanks guys for the replies. I will probably do as suggested with the Yellow Top Optima and the Mean Green alt. What do you think about an alternator step up kit? Increases the diameter of the alternator pulley wheel so that it spins faster, therefore producing more charge at idle. Does anyone know where to get a decent one and a new belt with longer length? I will probably be using most of my wattage at idle.

Author:	WoodysKJ [ Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:
MiniDevil wrote: Thanks guys for the replies. I will probably do as suggested with the Yellow Top Optima and the Mean Green alt. What do you think about an alternator step up kit? Increases the diameter of the alternator pulley wheel so that it spins faster, therefore producing more charge at idle. Does anyone know where to get a decent one and a new belt with longer length? I will probably be using most of my wattage at idle. Again... That is what the Yellow top is for. Once again the alternator, or as chrysler like to call it now, the Generator ONLY is allowed to charge when the PCM calls upon it based upon battery temp info from the temp sensor located under the battery in the battery tray. Stepping up the alt/gen pulley might do you no good except empty your wallet faster. The Generator does NOT charge in the way we are used to the older ones charging. Need a new mind set on this.

Author:	tjkj2002 [ Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:
WoodysKJ wrote: MiniDevil wrote: Thanks guys for the replies. I will probably do as suggested with the Yellow Top Optima and the Mean Green alt. What do you think about an alternator step up kit? Increases the diameter of the alternator pulley wheel so that it spins faster, therefore producing more charge at idle. Does anyone know where to get a decent one and a new belt with longer length? I will probably be using most of my wattage at idle. Again... That is what the Yellow top is for. Once again the alternator, or as chrysler like to call it now, the Generator ONLY is allowed to charge when the PCM calls upon it based upon battery temp info from the temp sensor located under the battery in the battery tray. Stepping up the alt/gen pulley might do you no good except empty your wallet faster. The Generator does NOT charge in the way we are used to the older ones charging. Need a new mind set on this. Yep and making the alternator spin faster can damage the alternator since it is only ment to spin a certian max rpm and making it spin faster will make it go beyond the safe rpm.It's more common to "underdrive"(make spin slower) the alt,water pump,and PS pump then to "overdrive" any one of them,finding a pully to "overdrive" the alternator will be very hard to come by,at least one that will work with our alternators.The longer belt is no problem but will empty your wallet fast until you find the correct length. Like I said before unless you are running a winch or a on-board welder you will not need anymore then what the OEM(136amp or 160amp)alternator puts out at idle(80-110amps) or the 160 some amps the Mean Green alternator will put out at idle.

Author:	MiniDevil [ Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:33 am ]
Post subject:
WoodysKJ wrote: Again... That is what the Yellow top is for. Once again the alternator, or as chrysler like to call it now, the Generator ONLY is allowed to charge when the PCM calls upon it based upon battery temp info from the temp sensor located under the battery in the battery tray. Stepping up the alt/gen pulley might do you no good except empty your wallet faster. The Generator does NOT charge in the way we are used to the older ones charging. Need a new mind set on this. Alright. I know I definately need a yellow top battery because mine is rather weak. I will just go with the yellow top and see what happens with battery usage.

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