High Output Alternator (dc power engineering)

Has anyone used the 270 amp alternator from DC Power Engineering (https://sdhqoffroad.com/collections...tacoma-3-5l-270-amp-xp-high-output-alternator)? Before everyone freaks out, I did see a thread about this alternator on here, but no one had used it. Yes I realize it is expensive. I also know that my truck comes factory with a 130 Amp alternator. I am building a camping rig with a few house batteries in a pop top shell and think the extra charging power would be great. Looking to see if anyone has installed this alternator? How was the fitment? And how is it holding up ?

Thanks in Advance

 

Impressive alternator. Stock is weak. States 130 amp but only 13.4 to 13.6v charging. Your dc power alternator is 14.7. And amperage is doubled for your deep cycle batteries. I want one.

 

I don’t know if I’d call it weak, it’s designed to charge lead acid batteries.

I don’t see many posts on alternators. They really aren’t needed. Most people run dual battery setups, there really isn’t a need for that much alternator.

 

How many Pb batteries are you trying to charge? For that kind of money I would look I to a LiFePo4 system. I’m no expert but you will get better life out of them running them hard like most Overlanders tend to do. Plus they are lighter and smaller.


If you haven’t looked I to LiFePo4 check out this:
https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop/12v-lifepo4-deep-cycle-battery/

I have no affiliation with them but this is the company I am going to use as a house battery.

-M

 

The word is the alternator voltage and amps are regulated by the ECU on the 3rd Gen. So, this may be throttled down to stock specs.

 

I bought a blue top optima battery and when I discharge it it takes a loonnngg time to recover using the stock alternator.... i have seen other vehicles have quicker recovery times... more juice wouldnt hurt..

 

The factory Denso 180 amp large body alternators are a more reliable solution. I'd love to see one of the aftermarket big amp units have what it takes to go the distance... none are as well built as the OEM Denso.

 

200w solar charger to charge the house system during the day.

 

Yup, this is the right answer. You'll just spend a whole bunch of money on a new alternator and still have the same result.

 

And unknown of the higher amp alt will not "fry something".

 

You cannot use the alternator to charge a discharged battery. You need a battery charger.

 

This and know it’s also bad to discharge the batteries deeply.

If you are inclined you should look into the LiFePo4 batteries with an alternator to battery charger by Sterling. It’s probably the best and safest way to go. The guys building out Vans and RVs really know what’s going on and are the ones you should talk to.

-M

 

We have a bunch of electrical experts here

 

Of course we do!

 

An alternator is not to charge a deeply discharged battery but to maintain full state of charge. You'll either burn out your alternator if you regularly discharge or kill your battery from sulfation.
My Diehard AGM is going on 7 years putting it on a battery charger since it sits not running for weeks sometimes .

 

I have a question related to the above. I use a CPAP in my trailer. It consumes 20% of the charge of a 95ah deep cycle battery each night, which is 19 ah. To put that juice back in takes a Honda 1000 generator just under 3 hrs at 6.5 A per hr. Solar panels help but here in BC the weather is not as reliable as one would like. In the past I had a second battery in my Explorer and Colorado and this worked without any issues. But now with the Tacoma the charge rate is so low, just like what you guys have been discussing. Can the Tacoma charging system replace this 20% daily "loss" in the second battery without burning out? I would have it installed with the battery isolator as I did on the other trucks. But the question gets bigger. What happens when we hook up the trailer after 3-4 days off-the-grid camping and its deep cycle battery is down 25%? The latter is always hooked up to solar, but it will still be down by about 25%. It's a 115 ah battery.
I imagine the way it works is that the alternator will charge both the starter battery and the trailer battery at the same time, as it is designed to do with the tow package installed. Would the second battery then get juice once these two other batteries are topped up?

 

Are you sure your alternator is functioning properly as mine puts out about 14V?