Alternator identification and increase

hedgerowpete · 2022-10-29 10:54:14

I am doing a van conversion.

I need to work out which alternator and its out put i have no my teepee. Is there a makers plate or id marks?

Its still on the van and burried in the depths of the engine.

Once we know what I have on the van how easy is it to increase its size and power. I see 90amp up to 150amp at the eurocar parts pages.

Do they all just swap out on the same mounting bracket points?

kenbw2 · 2022-10-30 00:55:20

Will you get much benefit from upgrading the alternator? Depends what you're powering I suppose, but batteries generally won't charge as fast as the 90 amp anyway, right?

Casper · 2022-10-30 03:19:40

kenbw2 wrote:

Will you get much benefit from upgrading the alternator? Depends what you're powering I suppose, but batteries generally won't charge as fast as the 90 amp anyway, right?

Was thinking the same. My convoy is about 100/110 and is good to charge my 100Ah starter battery and 220An Leisure. A good quality split charge relay knows where to send the power anyway and not forgetting a 90Ah alternator is 90Ah per hour (Apparently) and a wee half hour to hour drive down the motorway at 70 MPH should have them all charged up. Add solar to the mix and you can have a nice long weekend using your lights, sounds and odd bit phone charging to the mix. Unsure how much a inverter will drain. I have also 400W solar on my roof and yet to be worried about my power storage.

hedgerowpete · 2022-10-30 18:51:11

Thanks both. The great plan is a starter battery as normal and a two 120ah in the back jump box build and an inverter and a DC to DC charger. I have already a solar panel on the roof and a solar charger unit. But it's struggling now it's dark so often or parked under tree canopies.

I thought you had to increase the alternator to prevent the extra battery charging load burning it out?

Casper · 2022-10-30 19:45:18

You can have 10 leisure batteries or your two they will only get charged at your alternators rate. Obviously your 10 batteries are going to take a hell of a lot longer than your 2. Just dont skimp and buy a good quality split charger something like a Durite 140amp one. Mine when the bus is not in use back charges so when the leisure is charged it takes care of the starter battery so never have to worry about poor stating over winter.

kenbw2 · 2022-10-31 15:45:29

I never understand the need for 120A+ split charge relays to be honest - even a LiFePO4 battery will only accept a 35A charge. It'll be even less for a Lead-Acid

Only reason I can see is if you have other draws like a kettle or something while the engine is running

Last edited by kenbw2 (2022-10-31 15:45:47)

Casper · 2022-11-01 15:16:03

kenbw2 wrote:

I never understand the need for 120A+ split charge relays to be honest - even a LiFePO4 battery will only accept a 35A charge. It'll be even less for a Lead-Acid
Only reason I can see is if you have other draws like a kettle or something while the engine is running

For me i moved to a bigger van and kept the little 30Ah Smartcom one. All i had plugged in when traveling was the Aldi coolbox on 12v and the provided wire would get hot so binned that for my
140Ah one

This

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201794321408 … id={gclid}

And its been fine since. Now i drive with my coolbox and a 12v soundbar on using the leisure battery's what i will be adding another this year to make it 390ah. Looking to be adding a three way fridge and have more self sufficient weekends away.

tee_cee · 2022-11-02 18:17:35

kenbw2 wrote:

I never understand the need for 120A+ split charge relays to be honest - even a LiFePO4 battery will only accept a 35A charge. It'll be even less for a Lead-Acid
Only reason I can see is if you have other draws like a kettle or something while the engine is running

There will be an initial inrush when the relay kicks in. I tested this with a 75Ah battery, and it was 30A, so I went with 40A. I should really check with my 2 x 120Ah sometime.

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#1 2022-10-29 10:54:14

Alternator identification and increase

#2 2022-10-30 00:55:20

Re: Alternator identification and increase

#3 2022-10-30 03:19:40

Re: Alternator identification and increase

#4 2022-10-30 18:51:11

Re: Alternator identification and increase

#5 2022-10-30 19:45:18

Re: Alternator identification and increase

#6 2022-10-31 15:45:29

Re: Alternator identification and increase

#7 2022-11-01 15:16:03

Re: Alternator identification and increase

#8 2022-11-02 18:17:35

Re: Alternator identification and increase

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