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Pz10420 · 09-09-2013, 03:22 PM

I have an 89 Fleetwood Tioga on an E350 and wasn't sure how to find out what alternator I have in there. Is there a way to find out with the VIN? I figured its at least 100amp but not sure.
Thanks
Pete

ChasL · 09-09-2013, 03:38 PM

I have same set up - According to Hayes Repair manual the used two Alternators A 65 Amp and 100 amp - Original Ford alt has a Red Paint mark on it. Mine has been replaced and I cant tell what it is -- but it does keep 1 chassis and one house charged. sorry Red paint mark is 100 Amp.

Pz10420 · 09-10-2013, 07:49 AM

Thanks for the info. I'll try to take a look when I get in there to change the belts. Only reason I was asking is because I just bought a power inverter to power a small tv and DVD player for the kids while we're on the road. Do you think that alternator will have any trouble keeping up with that?

ChasL · 09-10-2013, 09:05 AM

With out knowing current Draw of inverter and other connected items hard to say. My Chassis Battery and House battery are isolated - if I run House battery down I can still start my Engine - I am sure you know this if you have a isolator.

rlott2k · 09-11-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pz10420

I have an 89 Fleetwood Tioga on an E350 and wasn't sure how to find out what alternator I have in there. Is there a way to find out with the VIN? I figured its at least 100amp but not sure.
Thanks
Pete

Post your Ford VIN and I'll run it for you..

BFlinn181 · 09-11-2013, 05:31 PM

A 100 amp alternator puts out about 1200 watts of power. A 300 watt inverter will use 25 amps.

Pz10420 · 09-11-2013, 06:11 PM

So was buying 1000 watt inverter a bad idea?

Pz10420 · 09-11-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlott2k

Post your Ford VIN and I'll run it for you..

1FDKE30G8KHA59497
Thanks!

BFlinn181 · 09-11-2013, 07:24 PM

Why would you need 1000 watts for "a small TV and a DVD player?" Buy a small one sized to handle the watt total of the two devices.

mx08453 · 09-11-2013, 07:25 PM

Here is my limited experience. My 1600 watt inverter ran off of two 12 volt auto batteries. Yes i killed them in three years. At full use it generated about 13 amps. We seldom ran the batteries down while bondocking and we had a 100 amp generator to charge the batteries. DW needed the hair dryer for a few minutes in the am and used the electric skillet for 15-20 minutes in evening. The only other uses were for computer recharging , and cell phones.. tv too.

Pz10420 · 09-11-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Why would you need 1000 watts for "a small TV and a DVD player?" Buy a small one sized to handle the watt total of the two devices.

I figured it would be better to buy a bigger one now in case I wanted a larger one in the future. Do inverters draw full power whenever they are turned on? Cause I also though initially that they only drew the power required to power the devices that are plugged in. Am I right or wrong with that train of thought?

BFlinn181 · 09-11-2013, 08:31 PM

No, inverters don't use the full wattage they are capable of creating. Your 1000 w inverter should be hard wired with at least 4 awg wire near batteries and 120 v A/C wire run to a convenient location for use. The inverter needs to be mounted in a ventilated but weatherproof space. An inverter of 200-400 w can be run by plugging in to a cigarette lighter power tap and doesn't need special installation. 1000 w isn't big enough to run hair dryer, microwave, or coffee pot but overkill for a TV and DVD player. If you want to go big, I'd look for at least 2000 w and permanent installation as I suggested. If you go that big, I'd also think of investing in a pure sine wave inverter as modified or square wave ones don't play nice with some electronic equipment, motors, speed controls, etc. Of course then you're looking at a very expensive unit and would probably have to add more battery capacity to use it for more than a few minutes.

Pz10420 · 09-11-2013, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the info. That's how I was planning on installing it. I just started getting concerned that I may overwork my alternator while on the road. But sounds like I should be ok. I have my first long trip coming up in October and am trying to get everything as solid as possible.

subford · 09-14-2013, 06:44 AM

On a 89 I would think you have a 2G alternator, maybe a 65 or 75amp. This alternator is prone to burn up its wiring and sometimes start a fire. The safe thing to do is buy a 100amp 3G alternator with internal voltage regulator and up grade the wiring to carry the higher amps. The application for this 100 amp would be from a 1992-3 e-series van.
I dough that you have a 100 amp alternator in 1989 unless you have an voltage regulator mounted away from the alternator. I think the 100amp alternators came in the diesels in 1989.

I would not drive a Ford with a 2G alternator on it.