Community Forums

Chuck Q · 09-18-2020, 06:08 PM

Has anyone upgraded there alternator from 160 amps too 200 or more.

edgray · 09-19-2020, 07:39 AM

The OE alternator was 145 Amps. Why do you need more?

twinboat · 09-19-2020, 08:03 AM

Wasn't an RV but I upgraded a 55 amp to a 250 amp alternator.

It was tough on the belts at full output and I needed to upgrade the positive and negetive wires to 2 gauge to get full output to the batteries.

Run to many amps thru a thinner wire and your just wasting the power heating the wire.

Chuck Q · 09-19-2020, 08:32 AM

I have been told that after installing 4 100AH lithium batteries the oem alternator would burn itself out trying to charge the 4 coach batteries and the chassis battery. Hence need to go from 145 amps to 250. Would rather not do that. I wonder if I can disconnect the coach batteries from the alternator and just let my solar system keep the chassis batteries charged?

twinboat · 09-19-2020, 08:56 AM

Sure you can. Find the isolation/boost solenoid, by pressing the boost switch on and off while listening for it, and remove one of the small wires going to it.

With a wire off, the solenoid can't close and tie the batteries together.

Chuck Q · 09-19-2020, 09:16 AM

Thanks, twinboat. Appreciate it. Your advice has always been great.
Chuck

garyb1st · 09-19-2020, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Sure you can. Find the isolation/boost solenoid, by pressing the boost switch on and off while listening for it, and remove one of the small wires going to it.

With a wire off, the solenoid can't close and tie the batteries together.

Is the solenoid part of the altrernator? If not, where is it located? I have the same engine and may want to do the same thing.

One solution I've seen is to reroute that wire to the dash and use a toggle switch to turn it on and off.

Chuck Q · 09-19-2020, 09:32 AM

Mine is located in front right bay passenger side, top shelf. Has a decal marked coach battery.

twinboat · 09-19-2020, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Q

Mine is located in front right bay passenger side, top shelf. Has a decal marked coach battery.

It shouldn't be marked coach battery, that sounds like a battery disconnect solenoid.

Unless its marked coach on one side and chassis on the other.

Your looking for a solenoid that has battery size cables on both sides. One from coach and one chassis battery.

garyre · 09-21-2020, 11:41 PM

Is the boost solenoid energized when the key is on? I thought that was the purpose of the safety boost switch to connect the house batteries to the chassis battery?

Soppy · 09-22-2020, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyre

Is the boost solenoid energized when the key is on? I thought that was the purpose of the safety boost switch to connect the house batteries to the chassis battery?

The boost solenoid will be energized when the engine is running and after the chassis batteries reach their charged voltage determined by the battery management system.
If it was energized when the key is turned on , your chassis battery could be run down if the house batteries are dead.

BillVoyage · 09-26-2020, 07:02 AM

Hi all, I am currently installing a lithium iron phosphate house battery and I'm interested in the signal from the engine that turns this solenoid on. I think by disconnecting the signal wire I can safely charge my house battery without overtaxing my alternator. I plan on using a dc-to-dc charger for the house batteries and having them not directly connected to the alternator. I have a 2011 Workhorse Winnebago Adventurer 37f and cannot find anything in the wiring diagrams to help me.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bill