8.1 alt size??

[joelyn]

i have a 2004 w/h chassis w-22 with the 8.1 engine. is there a standard size alternator that comes with this engine, and if so what size is it. if not how do i find out the size. i want to add 2 more 6 volt batteries and they said i have to see what size alt. there is to see iit will charge them all.

[joelyn]

i have a 2004 w/h chassis w-22 with the 8.1 engine. is there a standard size alternator that comes with this engine, and if so what size is it. if not how do i find out the size. i want to add 2 more 6 volt batteries and they said i have to see what size alt. there is to see iit will charge them all.

["007"]

joelyn,

You have a 145 amp alternator with your engine. If you go to Workhorse.com you can get all the spec's on all wh chassis. ---"007"

[rvjer]

Joelyn,
I have added 2 more Trojan T-105's to my coach and my Alt. Keeps them up just fine

[joelyn]

thanks for the answers.

[edgray]

Originally posted by rvjer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have added 2 more Trojan T-105's to my coach and my Alt. Keeps them up just fine </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm assueming the 2 you added are house batteries. If so, please share with us HOW you get the chassis alternator to charge them. Thanks, ED

[Horsepowerfan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by edgray:

I'm assueming the 2 you added are house batteries. If so, please share with us HOW you get the chassis alternator to charge them. Thanks, ED </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Ed,

I'm pretty sure the chassis alternator on my rig charges ALL the batteries through a battery isolation unit. However, the converter only charges the house batteries. I remember checking with a voltmeter with the engine running, but it's a little foggy.

[edgray]

Good morning, HORSEPOWERFAN !

It would not be the first time I am confused , but I was thinking the purpose of the isolator was to keep the different set(s) of batteries apart.

Why else would we need the "booster" switch which connects the house to the chassis battery for starting?? I'm not trying to be argumenative here, I'm honestly looking for answers. As always, thanks for your expert opinions and posts. ED

[Cruzer]

The battery isolator only keeps the two battery sysyems seperate while at rest. If you were boondocking and drew your house batteries down to zero you could still start your coach via the chassis battery. Like wise, if you were plugged in for a long time and the chassis battery was dead, you could use the "boost" switch, which basically jumps the isolator relay, to start your engine.

Once the engine is running the alternator will charge both of these battery systems via the isolator. Some systems use a relay or solenoid and some use an electrical one-way diode type of box but the solenoid is more popular. Either way, the result is the same.

[rvjer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm assueming the 2 you added are house batteries. If so, please share with us HOW you get the chassis alternator to charge them. Thanks, ED </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I just added the extra bank to the existing two 6V's and on the dash I have a built in Batt. gage that shows both main and aux batt. charge rates. With the engine running both sets show a charge rate of between 13.4 and 14.5 Volts. I believe most newer Fleetwoods have this same gage setup. I did not change any wiring and the Alt. keeps up with all four aux. Batts and the engine Batt. with no problems.

[edgray]

Originally posted by Cruzer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The battery isolator only keeps the two battery sysyems seperate while at rest </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you to Cruzer and RVJER: I learned something today, which is a worthy goal everyday! Mark, by "at rest" i assume you mean engine OFF. Likewise, if the genset was dead, and no shore power available, I could charge up the house bank by high idle while parked??

I guess that would be an expensive 340HP genset!

Thanks to you both ED

[joelyn]

one other question, i was talking to a m/h repair guy today and he said that before i add the two extra batteries i should check with fleetwood to see if the existing wiring from the exixting 2 6 volt bats is big enough to handle 2 more batteries. shoiuld this matter since it is all just 12 volts?

[Horsepowerfan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by edgray:
I'm not trying to be argumenative here, I'm honestly looking for answers. As always, thanks for your expert opinions and posts. ED </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd never think you to be argumentive, Ed. I can't begin to tell you how much I've learned on this forum! You're always very courteous and polite and I appreciate the fact that you take the time to thank those who reply and try to help. BTW, I would consider Cruzer much more of an expert in this area. Thanks for filling us in on the details Mark.

joelyn,

It sounds logical to check your wiring gauge size, but I'm not too sure what to advise here. Maybe someone else will fill us all in.
Jim

[Cruzer]

Joelyn,

Wiring size is all dependant upon current flow (amperage) not voltage. You can run a turn signal light off of 18 gauge speaker wire but try using that wire to turn over a starter motor and it'll go up in smoke. If you increase your current draw (amps) you would need to increase your wire size because I'm sure that the original wiring was sized for a given size maximum load.

However, I don't believe you are adding any extra load to the battery bank. You are only increasing the runtime of the bank by adding more batteries. In this case, your wiring is just fine. Just be sure that when you connect the extra two batteries you use the same wire gauge as is presently there.

I added two batteries to my 2003 Suncruiser 33V to give me more run time and power my 2500 watt inverter longer. I did not need to increase my wire gauge size but I did connect the high current inverter directly to the batteries rather than run it to the existing house wiring buss.

Also, if you add batteries, make sure they are the same size and flavor as your existing batteries. If you mix and match you'll overcook the smaller ones and undercharge the larger ones.