Upgrading Alternator will Save Money? Now With Curve Charts!

ChayotHaKodesh · Jan 17, 2022

I've never heard this but I have upgraded to either a 320 or 370 amp, don't remember which it was, and Big 3 with 2/0 write haven't gained any MPG. It's been in for almost 2 years and even with my stereo system currently disconnected it's still 16-17 MPG on the interstate. Now I'm curious about this so I'm might read into it.

Mister Luck · Jan 17, 2022

BigTex13 said:
Does anyone make a grounding kit for our trucks that have thicker wires?

05 and up Chargers, 300’s, and Magnums have 1G battery cables.

Mister Luck · Jan 17, 2022

ChayotHaKodesh said:
I've never heard this but I have upgraded to either a 320 or 370 amp, don't remember which it was, and Big 3 with 2/0 write haven't gained any MPG. It's been in for almost 2 years and even with my stereo system currently disconnected it's still 16-17 MPG on the interstate. Now I'm curious about this so I'm might read into it.

It’s not really saving money for fuel it’s for saving money in general in preventive maintenance so you have more money to pay the pump,

Found this today … Alternator Shoot Out (at idle)

jagman_xjs · Jan 17, 2022

One thing I use to do with my Jaguars was to upgrade the alternator. I NEVER noticed any increases in gas mileage. However I NEVER have any more battery issues and drove the car to 210k miles before I parked it in the barn.

Wild one · Jan 17, 2022

Mister Luck said:
05 and up Chargers, 300’s, and Magnums have 1G battery cables.

You forgot to mention they also have the battery mounted in the very back corner of the trunk,so they have a hell'va long run up to the alternator. If you're gonna make statements like this,make sure you give all the information,as some people might not know the whole story,like batteries being as far away from the alternator as you can get in a car

Ribtipram · Jan 17, 2022

Take out your rear floor mats. The weight you save should have the same effect on gas over 100k of driving as the new alt. About 2 gal of gas.

Mister Luck · Jan 17, 2022

Wild one said:
You forgot to mention they also have the battery mounted in the very back corner of the trunk,so they have a hell'va long run up to the alternator. If you're gonna make statements like this,make sure you give all the information,as some people might not know the whole story,like batteries being as far away from the alternator as you can get in a car

By the time the word was out I don’t suppose anyone would be curious enough to know without spelling it out ?

It’s really thoughtful of you to mention it but I’ve not really been spoon fed information and I ‘ve turned out alright.

Wild one · Jan 17, 2022

Mister Luck said:
By the time the word was out I don’t suppose anyone would be curious enough to know without spelling it out ?

It’s really thoughtful of you to mention it but I’ve not really been spoon fed information and I ‘ve turned out alright.

Who really cares what you've been spoon fed :Big Laugh:

.Just pointing out your lack of information,which in regards to this thread,is kind of important.Just razzing you,but try to post all the information if possible,makes it easier for the guys who might not be up on all the latest info.

Mister Luck · Jan 17, 2022

Wild one said:
Who really cares what you've been spoon fed.Just pointing out your lack of information,which in regards to this thread,is kind of important.Just razzing you,but try to post all the information if possible,makes it easier for the guys who might not be up on all the latest info.

I guess you’re at that stage where you like to spoil your grandkids.

1 gauge copper wire is about $4.00 a foot
you might go to a pick your part salvage yard and find a cable that cheaper…

GTyankee · Jan 17, 2022

I seem to recall that 1 of the things we used to do in days of old
was to run single wire alternators
Those alternators did not put out any power until the engine was turning 700 RPM or more.
So if you were sitting at a traffic light or idling in the driveway, the alternator was basically free wheeling.

In my mind, that would save fuel

Wild one · Jan 17, 2022

GTyankee said:
I seem to recall that 1 of the things we used to do in days of old
was to run single wire alternators
Those alternators did not put out any power until the engine was turning 700 RPM or more.
So if you were sitting at a traffic light or idling in the driveway, the alternator was basically free wheeling.

In my mind, that would save fuel

I used to wire the field wire to a toggle switch,basically cause i was to cheap to ever buy an aftermarket alternator,lol

SublimeZ · Jan 17, 2022

Mister Luck said:
I guess you’re at that stage where you like to spoil your grandkids. you

1 gauge copper wire is about $4.00 a foot
you might go to a pick your part salvage yard and find a cable that cheaper…

1/0 Royal Excelene welding wire is $3.55/ft at wireandsupply. I use it for all my stereo installs.
(I have no affiliation other than being a customer)

Mister Luck · Jan 17, 2022

SublimeZ said:
1/0 Royal Excelene welding wire is $3.55/ft at wireandsupply. I use it for all my stereo installs.
(I have no affiliation other than being a customer)

EDIT

1/0 is larger than 1 gauge I guess..

SublimeZ · Jan 17, 2022

Mister Luck said:
EDIT

1/0 is larger than 1 gauge I guess..

1/0 = 0 ga

Mister Luck · Jan 19, 2022

What I found was the OE Specifications of the different alternator
Output Curves for RAM Trucks 2016 1500 it covers
160A, 180A, and 220A
The last Chart is for Cummins Only
Notice specifics for engine size and pulley diameters
RPM’s and Temperature

Ram Commercial Body Builder Guide - Upfit Your Truck

Ram Trucks Body Builder's Guide has information you need to upfit your truck. Explore the Body Builder Guide for dimensions, electrical & technical guides.

www.ramtrucks.com

bm02tj · Jan 19, 2022

How does that show improved fuel mileage

Mister Luck · Jan 19, 2022

bm02tj said:
How does that show improved fuel mileage

In an example of electrical continuity the more balanced a system is the less (fuel) energy it uses,
wasted motion is wasted energy conserving motion through continuity saves energy therefore fuel

But the most obvious savings is in maintenance and prevention because it’s the most easily understood.

the charts don’t actually show fuel savings they show comparisons between the offered OE options.

The interest in this thread is saving money only one aspect is about saving fuel and that is still conceptual regarding who is behind the wheel.

62Blazer · Jan 19, 2022

This is the first time I have ever heard about this theory of a larger alternator providing better fuel economy. Motorsports has been my hobby for 30+ years and I spent 12 years in the automotive engineering field including a lot of time performing fuel economy testing and sat on SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers who publish recommend test procedures for many things) committees on it. I would have to see the force curves required to turn an alternator at different loads, and see if running an 160 amp alternator at 50% load is really that much higher than a 220 amp alternator at 36% load. I would think that the extra force required to spin the heavier weight internals of the larger alternator would likely counteract any savings you would get but running at a lower load %. This the same basic theory as saying you should put a larger and higher horsepower engine in a car so it will get better fuel mileage.

Mister Luck · Jan 19, 2022

62Blazer said:
This is the first time I have ever heard about this theory of a larger alternator providing better fuel economy. Motorsports has been my hobby for 30+ years and I spent 12 years in the automotive engineering field including a lot of time performing fuel economy testing and sat on SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers who publish recommend test procedures for many things) committees on it. I would have to see the force curves required to turn an alternator at different loads, and see if running an 160 amp alternator at 50% load is really that much higher than a 220 amp alternator at 36% load. I would think that the extra force required to spin the heavier weight internals of the larger alternator would likely counteract any savings you would get but running at a lower load %. This the same basic theory as saying you should put a larger and higher horsepower engine in a car so it will get better fuel mileage.

You could say weight has something to do with parasitic drag coefficient but remember inertial has it’s own benefits .

I don’t believe a larger amp alt has any benefit in my specific application but that in lower RPM a 160A or 180A would be more complimentary .

Alternators generate a significant amount of radiant heat and a larger alternator would generate more under hood heat.

indept · Jan 19, 2022

What you need is info on how much horsepower it takes for each alternator to generate a specific charge current. This topic implies that the 220 a alternator uses less hp to generate 100 A than the 160a alternator.

Upgrading Alternator will Save Money? Now With Curve Charts!

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