Buying a New TC Hauler
I started the process today of replacing my 2010 F450 with a 2016 model. The Ford dealers here in Little Rock hardly ever have them though, and I had resigned myself to probably driving to Dallas in o...
Forum Discussion
I've worked on the truck the last three evenings, and I'm close to being done with the "truck side" of the new TC charge circuit and plugs. I've got the isolation solenoid connected to upfitter switch #4, so I can turn it on and off now.
When I started this, I had planned to connect the +12v wire directly to the alternator, like I had done on my last two trucks. After studying how the batteries and alternator are connected though, I'm hesitant to do that. At least, until I have time to get more info about the way things work. It appears that the two batteries and the alternator all connect to this device on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
As near as I can tell, the alternator output, and the positive cable from both batteries are connected to this. Also, that black square device on top looks like a shunt. After seeing this, I'm thinking connecting a load directly to the alternator might not be a good idea. In the image below, it appears there is an empty position on the RH end of the bus bar that I might be able to connect to, if I had the right kind of connector. Any thoughts on this?
So, until I can figure this out, I connected a red cable to the positive post of BOTH batteries, and brought them together on the input side of the CB. Probably not ideal, but it should work reasonably well.
The wire in split loom going across the top of the radiator is mine. I've tried to run my wires so that they won't make the truck harder to service.
There's a little more work to do in the bed, then I can put new plugs on the end of the TC umbilical cord and then give it the old "smoke test".
:):)
When I started this, I had planned to connect the +12v wire directly to the alternator, like I had done on my last two trucks. After studying how the batteries and alternator are connected though, I'm hesitant to do that. At least, until I have time to get more info about the way things work. It appears that the two batteries and the alternator all connect to this device on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
As near as I can tell, the alternator output, and the positive cable from both batteries are connected to this. Also, that black square device on top looks like a shunt. After seeing this, I'm thinking connecting a load directly to the alternator might not be a good idea. In the image below, it appears there is an empty position on the RH end of the bus bar that I might be able to connect to, if I had the right kind of connector. Any thoughts on this?
So, until I can figure this out, I connected a red cable to the positive post of BOTH batteries, and brought them together on the input side of the CB. Probably not ideal, but it should work reasonably well.
The wire in split loom going across the top of the radiator is mine. I've tried to run my wires so that they won't make the truck harder to service.
There's a little more work to do in the bed, then I can put new plugs on the end of the TC umbilical cord and then give it the old "smoke test".
:):)
