on a budget: Dual batteries vs 160 amp ALT

[theizzardking]

i know both would be the ideal setup, but in my most recent thinking i was considering going with an upgraded alt before i do the dual batteries just due to the fact that it makes sense to me that the loads i plan to place on the battery (winch,6 x hid's, cb, ect ect) are all happening while the motor is running, where as if i went with the dual battery setup i may still fall short as the alt won't be able to keep up with the draw where as the upgraded alt could replenish immediately .......my main concern right now is to get all of this poser crap on my truck actually working for me so i can go out and use it, plus winter is coming very soon in the low lands and i need these things to be safe.

i know ideally these things are a system and should be used in conjunction as opposed to separate but i only got money for 1 right now, with that said, do you guys know where to find the alternator bracket? i can only find one for the 22re on TG and the like, links or manufactures suggestions are welcome!

some of the threads i read that lead me to this.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63214-dual-battery-set-up.html
Dual Batteries or High Output Alternator - YotaTech Forums

 

[awpsome]

Alt over batteries any day.
Like you sai your motor is always running and alt is your main power source there.
Batteries is more like a bank, good to have a big bank till it runs out. Then you have a stock alt trying to charge a larger bank back up. More strain on the alt.

High output alt. then consider a second battery later to ease the load on your single battery later. But honestly you probably wot be using all those things at a single time so my vote is high output alt. hands down.
Second battery if you want more reserve power for idle uses. But then again you can always getting a high out put alt that puts out good amperage at low idle.

 

[theizzardking]

Alt over batteries any day.
Like you sai your motor is always running and alt is your main power source there.
Batteries is more like a bank, good to have a big bank till it runs out. Then you have a stock alt trying to charge a larger bank back up. More strain on the alt.

High output alt. then consider a second battery later to ease the load on your single battery later. But honestly you probably wot be using all those things at a single time so my vote is high output alt. hands down.
Second battery if you want more reserve power for idle uses. But then again you can always getting a high out put alt that puts out good amperage at low idle.

i see everyone talking about the c144 what's your guys' thoughts on getting an OEM one wound up vs just going to GM with a bracket?

who makes the bracket for us?

and another concern i came across, i highly respect the opinon of leary

now that is something to really consider, espeically because this e fan swap was started up of the water crossing the flew up my fan...granted that was a freak thing in a 2ft MAX water dept. Im gonna start with bigger wires and go from there. cheaper and something i will need to do with a bigger alt anyway.

When considering a switch to a beefier alternator, consider this:

When I switched to a bigger alternator, I was happy with the additional power delivered when doing long pulls with the winch, but it still made little difference in overall winch performance due to the fact that heat was still the limiting factor in power loss.

I also noted, to my horror, that the spun up alternators do not tolerate deep water like the stock ones. My first 4ft river crossing after installing the new alternator found me limping to the nearest NAPA running on dual batteries only... to replace the alternator. The voltage regulators on the spun up alternators WILL fry... whereas the stock alternator will merely shut down until dried out.

If you drive hard off road... may wanna think twice.

 

[RussToy]

Have you ever heard of Mean Green. They make awesome starters and alternators. I used one on my TJ Jeep...worked great. Never had to worry about power...Even when I was running my winch, refrigerator, high power stereo, and air compressor for the lockers. If I remember right...I paid $400. It also came with a one warranty

Here's a link.... ALTERNATORS

 

[theizzardking]

Have you ever heard of Mean Green. They make awesome starters and alternators. I used one on my TJ Jeep...worked great. Never had to worry about power...Even when I was running my winch, refrigerator, high power stereo, and air compressor for the lockers. If I remember right...I paid $400. It also came with a one warranty

Here's a link.... ALTERNATORS

yeah i used to use their high-tq starters in my old jeep set-ups, was great for stalling on a incline, was considering mean green but am unsure of fitment, i've been reading where some people use brackets and others just use some washers depending on the alternator they are using.

really leaning towards the c144 now though just as it's been done enough times where i feel confident in giving it a go.

 

[theizzardking]

oh with that said you guys know which of these i need or will both work?
Part # W1232 Alternator Wiring Harness Adapter. converts CS130 or CS144 4 pin Plug to Toyotal Oval Style Alternator Plug
Regulator wiring harness Plug Adapter 3-Terminal, Oval Shape Nippondenso (denso) Alternators to Delco CS121, CS130, CS-144 Series Alternators

they look to be the same thing to me, but am unsure, one just has a longer cord on it right?

these are adapter to fit the c144 to the toyota wiring.

 

[the great him]

Alt over batteries any day.
Like you sai your motor is always running and alt is your main power source there.
Batteries is more like a bank, good to have a big bank till it runs out. Then you have a stock alt trying to charge a larger bank back up. More strain on the alt.

not 100% true, your alt will only charge at 14.x volts even if you have 5 batteries. alts are designed to charge, thats what they do. having dual batteries that are low is not going to put a "strain" on the alt, anymore so than having a low battery. it will only charge at 14.x volts which will not hurt it, as the alt is charging all the time, when the batteries are full the alt goes into a "holding pattern" if you will and just sits there idly untill needed again, it can not over charge they system. my point here is, that with a single battery the alt will not spend much time charging if under normal driving conditions during the day -night time will see a bit more usage because of lights. so every now and again asking that alt to charge two batteries will be no big deal and your alt wont hate you. it does not know any different, it will just charge at 14.x volts untill everything is charged up. it will not have a prolonged duty load that will kill it.

High output alt. then consider a second battery later to ease the load on your single battery later. But honestly you probably wot be using all those things at a single time so my vote is high output alt. hands down.
Second battery if you want more reserve power for idle uses. But then again you can always getting a high out put alt that puts out good amperage at low idle.

yes but as Mr. Leary pointed out, the CS144 alt is not as robust as our denso units. this is one reason i have not bothered going to a high output alt(im running 12 aux lights forward and 2 backwards, on board air, a winch, aftermarket stereo with amp...) and my stock alt has kept up for the most part just fine, and i have run all the lights at the same time for an extended period of time ie hours on end. the only time i had an issue was i had the truck idling for about 40min with all my lights on and the stock alt could not keep up so my truck just shut down. but the alt keeps charging away and i have never had the light come on for it, so im not gonna be rushing out anytime soon to buy a bigger alt, if anything im gonna run one to two more deep cycle batteries first before a higher output alt. and then that time comes im thinking about taking the stock alt and having it rewound for more output. this is just my .02