ROPER Utility\Trail Build

Oh! Ok that makes sense

Here's some fruit for thought on the alternator......

It takes 1 hp to make 27 amps from an alternator or generator. That alternator looks like a Ford alternator probable putting out around 100 amps or so. So with my little equation you can figure how much horsepower the alternator will be using under a full charging load which will be taking roughly 3.7 horsepower to charge the battery when fully loaded. If the amp rating of the alternator is more, then ofcourse it will be taking more horsepower to turn the alternator under a full load. And if the alternator is not charging the battery to where it is fully charged then the alternator is not using any horsepower to turn it.

Knowing this you can do the math on paper and play with the numbers to your advantage. Point being, you can calculate on paper before buying anything. I only read the last couple posts and I don't know what else you have on this rig, Sorry. Anyways....

That's a pretty good alternator you got on there, those are great for running complex electrical systems but if the engine you are running, I seen the 8 hp Briggs on there, and is strong enough to run your rig, then it might be worth it to go with an alternator that puts out less amps then going with a bigger motor. Definitely would be cheaper and easier to get a smaller alternator, then getting a bigger motor. You could get an alternator off an escort which would be smaller and bolt right up, or go with an old 10 si GM alternator that puts out 37 to 40 amps, so it won't take that much hp to turn under full charge. Would just take longer to charge the battery which would be only minutes.

Nice alternator setup. On my simplicity I have a problem with drag if the battery gets down. Alternator drags so much that it's tough to keep the engine going. Normally it's not an issue as long as the battery doesn't get drained. Of course I can always leave the alternator turned off and still run the tractor but without charging the battery. Looks like the same alternator as mine!

prancstaman wrote:

Here's some fruit for thought on the alternator......

It takes 1 hp to make 27 amps from an alternator or generator. That alternator looks like a Ford alternator probable putting out around 100 amps or so. So with my little equation you can figure how much horsepower the alternator will be using under a full charging load which will be taking roughly 3.7 horsepower to charge the battery when fully loaded. If the amp rating of the alternator is more, then ofcourse it will be taking more horsepower to turn the alternator under a full load. And if the alternator is not charging the battery to where it is fully charged then the alternator is not using any horsepower to turn it.

Knowing this you can do the math on paper and play with the numbers to your advantage. Point being, you can calculate on paper before buying anything. I only read the last couple posts and I don't know what else you have on this rig, Sorry. Anyways....

That's a pretty good alternator you got on there, those are great for running complex electrical systems but if the engine you are running, I seen the 8 hp Briggs on there, and is strong enough to run your rig, then it might be worth it to go with an alternator that puts out less amps then going with a bigger motor. Definitely would be cheaper and easier to get a smaller alternator, then getting a bigger motor. You could get an alternator off an escort which would be smaller and bolt right up, or go with an old 10 si GM alternator that puts out 37 to 40 amps, so it won't take that much hp to turn under full charge. Would just take longer to charge the battery which would be only minutes.

yep its a ford 130amp alternator. but it never puts out that much power, maybe for a couple seconds on startup but after that it only puts out about 12amps. and if i really need to, i can flip a switch to disable it. i wanted a smaller alternator at first but i found this one for 20$ and it was almost brand new. the main thing i was thincking about when i got it was how easy it was going to be to get it out of a car at the junkyard. so i found a mazda b4000 and i saw that the alternator was right on top, thats why i took it.

mr.modified wrote:

Nice alternator setup. On my simplicity I have a problem with drag if the battery gets down. Alternator drags so much that it's tough to keep the engine going. Normally it's not an issue as long as the battery doesn't get drained. Of course I can always leave the alternator turned off and still run the tractor but without charging the battery. Looks like the same alternator as mine!

yep mine kills the engine at idle if i turn the on alternator and if the battery is low, but after a couple seconds its fine.

I have the simplicity set so the idle is a bit high with the alternator off. It's not perfect but it's pretty close. On a car they step the throttle up to keep up with the demand of accessories, like alternator or air conditioning compressor.

mr.modified wrote:

I have the simplicity set so the idle is a bit high with the alternator off. It's not perfect but it's pretty close. On a car they step the throttle up to keep up with the demand of accessories, like alternator or air conditioning compressor.

thats a good idea ill have to do that.

well.... its gonna wait.

Wow! You have quite a bit more snow than we do!

Start shoveling..... aincha done yet?

Lawren Wimberly wrote:

Start shoveling..... aincha done yet?

Been a while since ya said that line! Hahaha!