Second alternator install

[DCVR 614]

I found a brand new Alternator at a junk yard for $12 from a older model explorer, I believe it was a 98 or 99 and I was planning on running 2 alternators for my system. My next door neighbor works on cars and he said I might have to cut my hood to make it fit. I wanted to know is there enough room to install a second one without cutting the hood? or should I get a HO Alternator and save space? Also I have a 01 Mountaineer V8 and the explorer was a V6 will everything work correctly? or am I wasting my time?

 

[Sedition]

Where abouts on your engine are you thinking of mounting your second alternator? Do the holes for the bolts line up or do you have some type of adapter plate? Two alternators are going to be more reliable than one. Oh, and be sure to pick up the male regulator plug from the wreckers also if you decide to get a second alternator. You may need a longer fan belt also. A high output alternator will just bolt strait on in place of your existing one with no mods required.

If you do decide on going with the twin alternator option take pictures and post them on this thread. I am very interested in what you have planned for your electrical system, please keep us updated and feel free to ask any questions no matter how silly they may feel to ask. I am happy to help any time.

 

[zachow3]

I found a brand new Alternator at a junk yard for $12 from a older model explorer, I believe it was a 98 or 99 and I was planning on running 2 alternators for my system. My next door neighbor works on cars and he said I might have to cut my hood to make it fit. I wanted to know is there enough room to install a second one without cutting the hood? or should I get a HO Alternator and save space? Also I have a 01 Mountaineer V8 and the explorer was a V6 will everything work correctly? or am I wasting my time?

Honestly it's a waste of time. My engine bay is probably identicle to yours more or less. It can be done but would require custom brackets and relocating the existing alternator plus the wiring fiasco.
I can stack my centrifugal supercharger on top of my alternator but I have the brackets to do that.
An HO alternator would be plug and play. Wish I would have went that route when mine let go last year.

 

[SoNic67]

Two alternator working in paralel ask for trouble. They would require some diodes mounted series on the big positive cables (that connect to battery), to keep the regulators working properly and allow alternators share equally the load.
Otherwise just one it will be loaded, and is possible to be overloaded by a bigger electrical load.

 

[windsors03cobra]

I would just get a higher output alternator, there are many out there for all price points and amperages.

What is drawing so many amps that you need more output ?

As far as reliability, 225k miles here on the FoMoCo original. 5.0 V8

 

[toypaseo]

I would also suggest just getting a higher output alternator.

One of my buddies had his OEM alternator from his 91 GMC Sonoma rewired for higher output. Worked fine for his dual battery, 1800 watt system...

 

[DCVR 614]

Thank you for all of the replies. The only reason I got this second alternator cause I figured it would be cheaper in the long run to do. Plus, I got layed off my job so on a budget right now and the most of the HO I have seen are pretty expensive. When my neighbor was looking at the engine bay he said I could stack then alts but it would require cutting the hood, I don't want to cut the hood and have a piece of the alt showing. From the sounds of it, the 2nd alt is more work and money involved.

 

[SoNic67]

So... you just got laid off and you care about powering your hyper-loud sound system?
No comment.

 

[DCVR 614]

Yes I do, the reason why cause I have everything bought a while back just wanted to get a better alternator before install. Plus, I will have another job here soon when my background check comes in. BTW You can't say no comment when you took the time to respond questioning my priorities.

 

[SoNic67]

I did answer to the specific issue you posted. Then you said you got laid off.
The question was rethoric, didn't need an answer - I am just... puzzled of your priorities. Puzzled and no coment.

 

[DCVR 614]

Well, I thank you for your reply, you helped me out on the decision.