Dual alternators on a Gen 4 5.7 Hemi?

[WildBill2500]

I have a '16 Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I have a Fisher XV2 plow and struggle with voltage dropping when the plow is in use. I've heard of some folks adding a second battery or dual alternators. I know Gen 5s have dual alternators as an option now, but has anyone added a second alternator in a Gen 4? What would be involved for wiring? Plug & play?

I've heard that going with dual batteries requires removing the airbox for a Cummins' battery tray, but I'd rather not go with a cold air intake, unless it's less expensive than the second alternator. I have very basic mechanical skills and can bolt in parts, but I'm not doing any fabrication.

Thanks for an insight!

-WildBill2500
Western Maine

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

There is no reason you should be having issues with your blade draining the battery unless you have a bad connection somewhere

 

[WildBill2500]

There is no reason you should be having issues with your blade draining the battery unless you have a bad connection somewhere

Hmmm. Everyone I've consulted has told me the voltage drop is normal on an XV2, I had the OEM alternator changed out a few years back under warranty, and I put in a new battery a year ago. The volt meter goes down to about 11 volts and trips the low voltage warning whenever I move the wings.

 

[MEGA HO]

Snow chief package includes the higher AMP alt. Your definitely not making enough juice.
I don't plow with my truck so maybe it's a stupid advice, but give it some gas when moving the blade. Any alternator (incl dual alts) makes a lot less juice at idle vs higher rpms.

 

[WildBill2500]

Snow chief package includes the higher AMP alt. Your definitely not making enough juice.
I don't plow with my truck so maybe it's a stupid advice, but give it some gas when moving the blade. Any alternator (incl dual alts) makes a lot less juice at idle vs higher rpms.

I'll look into the snow chief package. I give it a little gas now to help it recover. That damn low voltage warning is a pain though.

 

[MEGA HO]

My snow chief package comment was only to show that you need a higher amp alt for plowing. It includes a few other things beside alt.
I don't think you could add it after the fact and you don't need to, just upgrade the alt or pursue your original plan of adding a 2nd alt (if that's possible), may have to change a part of the harness when adding a 2nd alt. Check with your dealer they should be able to tell you what else is different in dual alt configuration

 

[AH64ID]

No Gen 5 HD yet.

In 2016 dual alternators were an option on the 6.4L, but not the 5.7L. So it’s likely the truck isn’t pre-wired for it or able to control the second alternator.

What size is your current alternator?

 

[WildBill2500]

My snow chief package comment was only to show that you need a higher amp alt for plowing. It includes a few other things beside alt.
I don't think you could add it after the fact and you don't need to, just upgrade the alt or pursue your original plan of adding a 2nd alt (if that's possible), may have to change a part of the harness when adding a 2nd alt. Check with your dealer they should be able to tell you what else is different in dual alt configuration

Alternator in it is 180 amp changed out under warranty.

 

[WildBill2500]

No Gen 5 HD yet.

In 2016 dual alternators were an option on the 6.4L, but not the 5.7L. So it’s likely the truck isn’t pre-wired for it or able to control the second alternator.

What size is your current alternator?

180 amp

 

[MEGA HO]

This is a typical alternator output vs RPM chart, all will have abysmal ratings at idle so you'd be drawing down your battery unless giving it some gas.

 

[Poolmonkey]

300+ amp alternators are available, I would investigate those before a second..slightly smaller belt and some wiring upgrades are usually needed. On these newer trucks?…I have no idea.

 

[AH64ID]

Dual alternators will have a lot more output at idle than a big single, but if you don’t have the option for OEM wiring I would upgrade to a bigger single than 180A.

Assuming a 700 rpm idle the 180A alternator only puts out 100A at idle in a hot engine bay. The 220A alternator would put out 126A in the same conditions.

A small bump to 1200 rpms improves the output to 135A and 162A, respectively.

What are the draw specs on the plow? Are you sure it’s working correctly? How do you have it wired?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Add a second battery then there are good dual battery kits.

You are one of the first people i have seen to have this issue on the XV2 also with single alternators but the others are diesel so dual batts are the only difference…

 

[WildBill2500]

Dual alternators will have a lot more output at idle than a big single, but if you don’t have the option for OEM wiring I would upgrade to a bigger single than 180A.

Assuming a 700 rpm idle the 180A alternator only puts out 100A at idle in a hot engine bay. The 220A alternator would put out 126A in the same conditions.

A small bump to 1200 rpms improves the output to 135A and 162A, respectively.

What are the draw specs on the plow? Are you sure it’s working correctly? How do you have it wired?

I don't know the draw specs, but the plow was installed by a Fisher equipment dealer and everyone that I have talked to says the V plows draw a lot. Based on info folks have given me on here, I agree that an alternator upgrade will be the easiest solution. I've found some 240 amp that are supposed to produce more at idle.

 

[WildBill2500]

Add a second battery then there are good dual battery kits.

You are one of the first people i have seen to have this issue on the XV2 also with single alternators but the others are diesel so dual batts are the only difference…

Know of any dual kits for a '16? google is only finding me trays for '19+

 

[Poolmonkey]

I don't know the draw specs, but the plow was installed by a Fisher equipment dealer and everyone that I have talked to says the V plows draw a lot. Based on info folks have given me on here, I agree that an alternator upgrade will be the easiest solution. I've found some 240 amp that are supposed to produce more at idle.

Mean Green alternators were standard amongst the guys back when I was in an off road recovery group, not sure if they make one for your application.
Looking around because curious, it seems big stereos have made them a very common upgrade…

320A High Output Alternator for 2011 - 2019 Ram 1500 5.7L V8 (345c.i.)

320A high output alternator for 2011 - 2019 Ram 1500 5.7L V8 (345c.i.). Built for car audio, upgraded electrical performance, and extreme-duty applications.

www.powerbastards.com

Claims 320 amps at 1200 rpm…160+ at idle. Same for a 2500 as a 1500.

 

[JPDSMA]

I have a PowerBastards 320 Amp alternator from my ‘18 Grand Cherokee. I used it to power a CarGenerator for boondocking with our Airstream. It does not fit our new-to-us ‘14 Ram 2500 now pulling a larger AS. So, I am looking to either add it as a second alternator in a stand alone fashion (driven by the belt but not part of the truck electrical system) or more likely sell this one and upgrade the stock alternator to a PowerBastards 320 amp that is a direct swap. PB rates a significant output available at or just off standard idle. Key for any of this is upgrading the cables to 1 or 0 guage and adding an inline 300+amp fuse block. All stuff I kept from the GC.