Duramax dual alternator option?
We live in the PNW, but are looking to travel! We have never owned or driven a diesel, but plan on buying one when the new HDs come out. Are the dual alternators & engine block heater desirable opti...
Forum Discussion
I ordered our D/A with dual alternators on purpose for several reasons. We use inverters for 110 AC operation anywhere on both our TC's and our 5th wheels and always have several big batteries that we want to recharge real fast.
Besides the two under the hood for the D/A truck, there's 2 batteries in the bed for the TC and another in the TC compartment all coupled together for the 1500 watt inverter in the TC and up to 7 for the 2500 watt inverter in the 5th wheel. All batteries are 12V group 31 deepcycle with a 225 minite reserve at a 23 amp draw. That's a lot of silent usable battery amps when dry camping and still living like we had a shore power hookup. True freedom rules! The 7 for the 5th wheel includes the 2 that are in the bed of the truck that are also used for the TC when it's on the truck. They stay in the bed!
Yes, we also do have generators: A built in 3400 watt propane generator in the big TC and a Honda EU2000 mounted on the back of the 5th wheel. However, generators make noise when running and inverters don't! We have silent 110 AC power always at night anytime for the TV and electric blanket etc and in the morning for making coffee and toast and to run the microwave etc. The generators are always there if or when needed for high amperage AC or the RV converter or we can simply start the truck during the day for half an hour and the batteries are quickly recharged.
Overkill to some but perfect to us as we have been RV'ing since 1965, know the real difference, and we like to be comfortable all the time anywhere and are.
It's all about what you want and how you intend to use it or camp anywhere anytime in comfort. We've had this inverter setup on all of our RV's and cabined boats since the late 1980's and use it. Sure have no reason to change now as we know what being truely "self-contained" anywhere anytime really is like and we love it!
The truck also has a 750 watt inverter that runs off the 2 batteries in the bed so we always have 110 AC in the truck also. Spoiled brats!
Besides the two under the hood for the D/A truck, there's 2 batteries in the bed for the TC and another in the TC compartment all coupled together for the 1500 watt inverter in the TC and up to 7 for the 2500 watt inverter in the 5th wheel. All batteries are 12V group 31 deepcycle with a 225 minite reserve at a 23 amp draw. That's a lot of silent usable battery amps when dry camping and still living like we had a shore power hookup. True freedom rules! The 7 for the 5th wheel includes the 2 that are in the bed of the truck that are also used for the TC when it's on the truck. They stay in the bed!
Yes, we also do have generators: A built in 3400 watt propane generator in the big TC and a Honda EU2000 mounted on the back of the 5th wheel. However, generators make noise when running and inverters don't! We have silent 110 AC power always at night anytime for the TV and electric blanket etc and in the morning for making coffee and toast and to run the microwave etc. The generators are always there if or when needed for high amperage AC or the RV converter or we can simply start the truck during the day for half an hour and the batteries are quickly recharged.
Overkill to some but perfect to us as we have been RV'ing since 1965, know the real difference, and we like to be comfortable all the time anywhere and are.
It's all about what you want and how you intend to use it or camp anywhere anytime in comfort. We've had this inverter setup on all of our RV's and cabined boats since the late 1980's and use it. Sure have no reason to change now as we know what being truely "self-contained" anywhere anytime really is like and we love it!
The truck also has a 750 watt inverter that runs off the 2 batteries in the bed so we always have 110 AC in the truck also. Spoiled brats!
