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1995 U300 / Cat 3176 Alternator Upgrade

July 06, 2015, 10:33:08 pm

Thinking about upgrading the 160 amp Leece Neville alternator model A0012824LC (original equipment) in my U300 to a 200 amp HEHR Powerline Model 25-35.  The Powerline was a takeout from firetruck / rescue vehicle and, I think, should be a satisfactory replacement for the Leece Neville. I'd probably still carry the 160 amp Leece Neville as a spare.  I'm electrically dangerous so would appreciate any input from more knowledgeable forum members regarding what's involved in this swap or info from anyone who's made this upgrade.

Thanks, as usual, for all responses

Jon

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Re: 1995 U300 / Cat 3176 Alternator Upgrade

Reply #1 – July 07, 2015, 12:57:13 am

My limited understanding is the alternators output needs to match the batteries ability to receive the power.
 
Too high a charge rate may not be a good thing.

The inverter/chargers charge rate can be adjusted but the alternators not adjustable as far as I know.

The experts will chime in but I might not use the bigger one myself unless I had four 8g8d's personally

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Re: 1995 U300 / Cat 3176 Alternator Upgrade

Reply #2 – July 07, 2015, 05:52:03 am

The additional 40 amps of capacity is ok, but you need to make sure the mounting is the same, and that the replacement alternator is equipped with remote sense.  Your coach has a battery isolator and the donner vehicle may not have had one.  If so, the output voltages will be different.  The remote sense alternators sense voltage at the battery terminals, not at the alternator as "standard" truck alternators do.

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Re: 1995 U300 / Cat 3176 Alternator Upgrade

Reply #3 – July 07, 2015, 07:48:56 am

Jon,

Here is a link that has all the info as to how to make sure you  have it wired up correctly.  This alternator should work fine if the mounting and belt pulleys are the same. With the regulator set up properly it will know what to do with the extra capacity.
http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/PDF/powerline_series_25_alternator_troubleshooting.pdf  You will have to look down several pages to get to the exact alternator you are getting.

Pamela & Mike

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Re: 1995 U300 / Cat 3176 Alternator Upgrade

Reply #4 – July 07, 2015, 10:23:10 am

Direct link to the PDF.
http://www.hdpsi.com/PDF%20Documents/25HD-TG.pdf

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Re: 1995 U300 / Cat 3176 Alternator Upgrade

Reply #5 – July 07, 2015, 12:14:52 pm

You guys are sure that a higher charge rate into the house batteries than that they are designed to accept will not damage them?

Max charge is set on the inverter/charger at 130 amps.  Why not 200 there?

20% of amp hour capacity is what I remember reading.  675 amp hours in my three 8g8d's MK gels matches exactly. 

The 160 oem has a little overcapacity but adding more may or may not be an issue

He may only have two batteries for the house?

My engine batteries are always full from the crossover from the solar panel charging them so little or no extra power is being diverted from the house battery charging.

MK's engineer said their later model batteries had been redone internally with different plate separators and had a potential to last twice as long as previous ones did.

And he said he had had a lot of Foretravel owners with 8-10 years batteries already.

Just hate to shorten $2,000 worth of batteries service life unnecessarily.

Bad cabling consuming charging power, corrosion of the terminals both consume power so an oversize in normal use might not show anything but with large, correct cables and perfect terminals it might.

I assume Foretravel used the 160 amp for a reason.  20% more may or may not be a better idea is all I am saying.

Used to see case expanded gels long ago from overcharging in blue birds and such.

Replaced dozens of sets long ago.

Check with your battery manufacturer for charge rate numbers.

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