Community Forums

JPSiouxa · 06-09-2025, 02:14 PM

In a number of boats I worked on, I used the Balmar Marine 250-350Amp alternators to charge very large inverter battery banks, these cost upwards of $1,500 when spec'd for gasoline powered vessels (because of the specialized 'ignition protection; requirement in boat hulls).

I'm wondering if anyone here has installed a 250A or larger alternator on an f53 chassis with mid-2000's Triton V10.

I'm looking at this one...puts out 190A at idle and under $500.

https://www.tucsonalternator.com/pro...ernator/3-ADS/

Any thoughts?

NXR · 06-09-2025, 03:33 PM

Why do you need that?

twinboat · 06-09-2025, 04:00 PM

If you want high output, go for it.

SafariBen · 06-09-2025, 09:05 PM

I don't know your intended use, but I'd be inclined to buy a used stock alternator from a salvage yard (in person or ebay) and carry it along, and just load up the stock one.

That one is way more capacity than the 28SI that I'm UPGRADING my Safari to, I'll keep a genuine 22SI for a spare, and put a 22SI copy on the homebrew generator. Not especially worried about any of them with that sort of redundancy.

JPSiouxa · 06-21-2025, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXR

Why do you need that?

See here...the big picture.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f61/moto...ht-673086.html

JPSiouxa · 06-21-2025, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariBen

I don't know your intended use, but I'd be inclined to buy a used stock alternator from a salvage yard (in person or ebay) and carry it along, and just load up the stock one.

That one is way more capacity than the 28SI that I'm UPGRADING my Safari to, I'll keep a genuine 22SI for a spare, and put a 22SI copy on the homebrew generator. Not especially worried about any of them with that sort of redundancy.

Love the idea of putting an automotive alternator on a homebrew generator. Photo please!!

I'm not doing it for reliability or redundancy. I'll be removing the Onan 5.5kW genset to make room for ~19kWH worth of LiFePO4. The HO alternator will charge them completely on a typical 6hr driving day.

And after all, the Triton V10 is one of the best industrial generator engines one can find...so hanging a big alternator on it is a no-brainer. https://www.cummins.com/generators/ford-v10-68l

NXR · 06-21-2025, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSiouxa

See here...the big picture.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f61/moto...ht-673086.html

Makes sense now, thanks. I originally read it as "My boats had big honkin' alternators and I think my motorhome also should."

Ray

SafariBen · 06-21-2025, 11:11 AM

I'd jump right to 48V, OR, feed the inverter with "wild" ~120 or ~240V AC from a belt drive "generator" alternator off the engine, some inverter AC input tolerances are quite loose. Admittedly that would work better with my 8.3 than a gas V8, more room and more fixed RPM driving.

Most of my rig is engineered by inventory, so not ideal, but it works eventually. My current generator auxiliary 12V alternator is a heavy duty Niehoff brushless unit that worked great on the bench, but let out the smoke, so I'll either rig a different voltage regulator, or probably do a manual voltage regulator. Reconsidered the 22SI as a pulley hasn't appeared, and I prefer the brushless that's already there. Engine is a Lombardini single cylinder air cooled diesel, off an arrow board trailer I assume. edit: forgot, the Lombardini has a rope start and electric start. I probably could rope start the 8.3, but you have to draw the line somewhere, right? You can see I have different priorities than typical, so probably not applicable you your design.