Help a fire company with an alternator issue - 2001 7.3

[Guinness]

My fire company has a 2001 or 2002 F-450 dually, with 7.3

It has a ford high idle and also an aftermarket high(er) idle to run a generator (2 500 watt halogen floods) under the hood.

When we run calls with this truck and it is idling for extended periods with the emergency lights on it shuts off after the batteries are drained. Most of the time it is because the high idle isnt used by the person driving, even with the regular ford high idle its close.

So we have been thinking about upgrading the alternator to one from pa-performance. I think its 230amp at 6,000 rpm, but only 130 or so in usable range. We need one that will idle with some pretty good amps.

Judging from the lights, strobes and equipment we are pulling 100 amps easily with all of it on, not counting what the truck needs to run.

Does anyone have any information on what size alternator comes stock on this truck (F-450)?

 

[stroked 350]

try to install a redi line generator. It is a seperate unit that goes in a compartment. we have one on a 96 F-350 have had no problems . We did it when the truck was new.

 

[MBRPCrazyford]

Have you gus thought about running dual alternators? That's what our brush and mini pumper are runnin. They work good and have been realatively trouble free.

 

[Tbar]

You might try calling these people.............

Mobile Power...When and Where You Want It! - FAQs

when you really.....really need alternator power you can't go wrong with 8.5kw.


Tbar

 

[Tbar]

try to install a redi line generator. It is a seperate unit that goes in a compartment. we have one on a 96 F-350 have had no problems . We did it when the truck was new.

Tbar

 

[Fire1]

Either a larger alternator or the Mobil Power unit would work. The 8.5Kw is overkill for your listed application and also very expensive.

The "redi-line" generator that T-bar has pictured will not help your situation. It uses A 12 motor to turn a generator. So it will use even more 12v amperage than you are now only to provide a little more 110v that you do not need. We used to have them on our equipment.

I say call PA Performance or the alternator supplier of you choice and tell them your application and needs and see what solution the can provide.

Hope that helped.

 

[Guinness]

What Tbar has posted in his first post is what is installed in the truck already to run the halogen scene lighting, it also has a seperate controller in the cab for the high(er) idle.

Im assuming the real alternator is buried in there somewhere, but our tac units engine compartment looks just like the pictures tbar has posted.

 

[Fire1]

Then you simply need a larger alternator and a little retraining of personnel to use the idle controller EVERY time they stop.

 

[BJS]

an answer that might be a bit cheaper but needs to be evaluated is the ambulance prep package alternator for the OBS it is a 215 amp alternator that is available in most parts houses on a next day basis.

Given the nature of the truck I would try to keep the parts you put on it as "normal" and readily available as possible. So looking into the OBS ambulance alt or how to retrofit the factory dual alternator setup on the truck.

 

[Guinness]

I got a voice mail from pa-performance to confirm that their alternator will put out 130 amps at idle on the 7.3. We will probably go that route. Was told the truck was originally ordered with dual alternators, one was removed and the generator was put in.