Dual Batteries or High Output Alternator
 

I am planning on running 3 Hella Rallye 4000's some of the time and another 3 Hella Rallye 1000's on occasion. Total I will have around 900 Watts of light plus an electric fan. I am wondering if it would be better off to run a dual battery setup (one deep cycle and one starting) with stock alternator or running a high output alternator with one good battery whether that be deep cycle or starting. Or if need be a dual battery setup and high output alternator. I have searched around and called a few companies with no real answers. Any help is much appreciated. I do a lot of camping so having one deep cycle somewhere does seem like a good idea.

gm alternator swap. search that.

they are nearly plug-and-play, and you can get them in 200amps+ really easily.

here's mine, 160 amps:

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...8/CIMG7812.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...8/CIMG8798.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...8/CIMG8272.jpg

dual batteries are better for loads when your truck isn't running, like winches, camping, and compressors. larger alternators are better for loads while driving, like lights, e-fans, and trailers (extra lights and e-brakes).

irab88, is that a cs144 or cs130? And did you just go to the parts store and find an alternator with the amperage you wanted or did you buy one off the Internet? Also thanks for the reply makes sense with different needs for different loads.

ebay. i know they aren't all gems, but i figured it would last for a good while, anyway. and it has.

cs130, but either will work. you'll need a conversion bracket (~$40) and adapter. gotta find the links....

here's the links

i have a 140 amp under the hood, and it works great. i need to upgrade my old wiring, but it was plug-and-play. oh, and the stock toyota alt would be considered a "1 wire" as well

alternator: (12 o'clock housing, v-belt. 1/3 wire and 1 wire are the styles advertised)
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories

adapter: (whichever one matches your stock plug. i used the first one, you might need the second)
http://store.alternatorparts.com/partno4618061.aspx
http://store.alternatorparts.com/partno461804.aspx

bracket: (you really only need to extend the top part, as they share the same base dimensions)
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=830388
http://www.trail-gear.com/miscellaneous (scroll down)
http://www.lceperformance.com/Altern...-p/1080055.htm

Also, what auxilary fuse box are you running? What is the white box all about? And I'm assuming that the metal bar is for grounds?

blue sea fuse box

bare bar is ground, bar in the box is positive

box protects against shorts

i would do both-high amp alternator and extra battery...

^ yes.

also, i would do the alternator first. easier to charge 1 battery with a strong alternator than 2 batteries with a weak one.

For the second battery would you run a deep cycle? I assume you would wire the batteries together with an isolator?

that makes sense to me. here's a good video explaining that set-up (remember that isolaters will vary in features, but perform the same basic function)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev655Q873Jo

yo dawg. i heard you like dual batteries

(this video has a good example setup. he does a good job at pointing out how it's hooked up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6vgjhTZenU

I like the idea of dual batteries and large alt. But I wanted to stay with a stock production alternator for ease of sourcing if in a pinch, oh and price was a factor. I went with the CS-130 @ 105amp. Had to use the lifetime warrantee on it once already.

4crawler wrote some interesting articles on his site explaining the various dual battery configurations. Also pirate faqs has some good information on pros and cons of different configurations.

Would a deep cycle battery be best for running lighting while driving down the road? Also i am a little unclear on how i would run the lighting through the auxilary fuse block. I obviously want to run a swith on the lighting but i am wondering where the relay would go.

I have it both ways

My 89 just has two yellow tops in parallel to best run the winches, with stock alternator.

My 01 has a red top for starting, and a yellow top on an isolator for running aux electronics and stereo. With stock alternator.

In your case if your just planning on running lights, winches, ect.. Id go with to identical batteries in parallel. No special isolator needed, Just + to + and - to -. Use heavy gauge connectors. And you can keep your stock alt if you want. Although their is some real benies to running a GM, Cheaper replacement alt, and way more power. But stock is just fine. And unless your lights are drawing more power then your alt can produce, than I wouldn't worry about it. Mostly its just the winch that needs more backup power. And paralleled batteries is perfect for that. With and isolator you still kill one battery in the same time with a winch. No alternator can run a winch under a load, it always borrowes, what the alt can't produce, from the battery.

Are there any drawbacks to running a GM alternator? I thought I read somewhere that you lose the feedback of a charge light if something goes wrong, but I can't find that thread now.

Never heard of it, but Maybe. Guess you could always throw a voltage gauge in the dash, if thats the case.
Other then that theres no drawbacks other then havin a domestic part in your toyota :(

videos do a good job of explanation. links are awesome too.

thanks, very useful.

right!! lets see them

If you wire it as a single wire you could have issues. Or using an older GM alternator may also cause issues wiring to a dash light,

If you use a CS130, use the wire diagham posted in faq (i think it is) you will not have an issue.