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joe_julie81's avatar
joe_julie81
Explorer
Apr 14, 2017

High Output alternators?

How common is it to swap the standard alternator out for one with high output, like 140 amp? I would like to hear from someone who has, about what performance improvement you're seeing in terms of how long to recharge truck and camper batteries, and linking the two in the process. Also, what might it cost to do this alternator swap?

25 Replies

  • I didn't realize I already had a 135 amp alternator. I'm thinking about getting a 2 or 3k amp power inverter to hook to my truck batteries and running a heavy ext cord to the shore power of the camper, in lieu of a generator. This would replenish my camper batteries after sitting awhile running fans, furnace, lights, etc. I could crank the truck for 20 or 30 min occasionally with a high put alternator to replenish the truck batteries. Anything wrong with this thinking?
  • I often wonder what I could do with the factory 220a alternator that came on my Ram. Sometimes I'm tempted to beef-up the charge line running to my trailer, but that's next to pointless because of the computer controlled regulator.
  • I don't see why you can't change out your existing alternator to a higher output one. My GMC came with a snow plow package that included a 220 amp alternator.
  • Your truck already has a 135 amp alt. Not sure how you would add a second one and have it get along with the puter. Plus, trying to charge a couple of battery's with 150 ~ 200+ amps is going to boil them hard.