electrical systems

[punisher1130]

I am looking for some opinions on batteries and alternators for high electrical demands like lights and winches, optima seems to have a bad rep. lately so I was wondering what else is out there that works best for high energy situations. Any suggestions?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

There is tons of info if you take the time to look for it http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/48-Power-Systems-12v-Solar-Gen

 

[punisher1130]

I have, but all of those are talking about a dual systems and relocations, I am just looking to upgrade my 1 battery and was wondering if there was anything that is proven to be best or popular within the expedition community for high power demands.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

After a thorough google search try posting a specific question in that section with EXACTLY what you need and you may get some replies, right now you are being very vague and most will not reply.

 

[Stumpalump]

The best battery question has been all over the map in the last few years. I think he needs to know if buying right now, what's the best battery?

 

[Ducky's Dad]

If one big battery, best bet is probably a Northstar G31 if you can make it fit. I have Odyssey, Optima, and Northstar in various vehicles, and the Northstar is the most trouble-free (so far).

 

[punisher1130]

Sorry I cant give much info anything outside of what I have on my truck now, currently I am running a 10k winch, led fogs, small sound system and 4 55w hid lights on my bumper. I plan on running a few more led lights for the sides and rear of my trucks for area flooding and some lights above the cab, thinking of sticking with 55w ones for those as well but all in all I'm not sure what the power draw will be down the road so I'm trying to cover some bases now instead of waiting till later. Just trying to plan ahead since the battery and alternator upgrades are one of the most expensive to do, and I am aware and plan on getting some solar chargers but those wont be any help to me if I'm running the truck.

Odyssey seems to be getting popular and I have heard Northstar's name come up here and there, I used to believe that Optima was always the best hands down but they seem to have hit a bad spot with their product so I am looking to see what has stepped up as the best choice for various uses off road and what wont die on me while out running around in the back country.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Current Optimas are fine, but they don't have the capacity of the Odyssey or Northstar in the same size. The Odysseys smaller than Grp 31 are great, but the Grp 31 Odysseys are a complete pain in the *** to maintain. The Northstar 31 has more reserve capacity than the Odyssey and more RC and CCA than the 31 Optima. The Northstar 31 is less finicky about charging and maintenance than the Odyssey 31, while the Optimas are just fine with whatever charge they get. Type of vehicle is important, because things like Toyotas (Tacos and Tundras, at least) generate relatively low charging voltages and some AGMs don't like Toy voltage. I have heard that some Land Rovers are sensitive to battery choices, but no personal experience with those. The type of vehicle you drive may argue for a pair of 34s rather than a single 31. Details matter.

 

[zelatore]

Current Optimas are fine, but they don't have the capacity of the Odyssey or Northstar in the same size. The Odysseys smaller than Grp 31 are great, but the Grp 31 Odysseys are a complete pain in the *** to maintain. The Northstar 31 has more reserve capacity than the Odyssey and more RC and CCA than the 31 Optima. The Northstar 31 is less finicky about charging and maintenance than the Odyssey 31, while the Optimas are just fine with whatever charge they get. Type of vehicle is important, because things like Toyotas (Tacos and Tundras, at least) generate relatively low charging voltages and some AGMs don't like Toy voltage. I have heard that some Land Rovers are sensitive to battery choices, but no personal experience with those. The type of vehicle you drive may argue for a pair of 34s rather than a single 31. Details matter.

Everything you said is true. I was running an Odyssey gp31 in my Land Rover LR3 and had to ditch it for a Northstar, also a group 31. Much happier with it. The charging system of the Rover and the Odyssey's unique requirements didn't play well together.

If you're designing from scratch, a high output alternator from the likes of Balmar or similar and a custom external adjustable regulator paired with a single group 31 battery of your choice and some good quality wiring would be the hot ticket. The key to getting the most out of any battery is matching the regulator and alternator capacity to the battery's charging profile. Dig into the spec sheets and you'll find plenty of data to review.

 

[punisher1130]

Current Optimas are fine, but they don't have the capacity of the Odyssey or Northstar in the same size. The Odysseys smaller than Grp 31 are great, but the Grp 31 Odysseys are a complete pain in the *** to maintain. The Northstar 31 has more reserve capacity than the Odyssey and more RC and CCA than the 31 Optima. The Northstar 31 is less finicky about charging and maintenance than the Odyssey 31, while the Optimas are just fine with whatever charge they get. Type of vehicle is important, because things like Toyotas (Tacos and Tundras, at least) generate relatively low charging voltages and some AGMs don't like Toy voltage. I have heard that some Land Rovers are sensitive to battery choices, but no personal experience with those. The type of vehicle you drive may argue for a pair of 34s rather than a single 31. Details matter.

I have a 99 Dakota, don't think charging issues would be present on my truck lol, but I do plan on changing my alternator for a high output one if I can find one that bolts up.

 

[Buddha.]

I'd look at the fullsize dodge and see if the alternator from one of those would bolt up and if it's any better. That's what I did with my blazer, I'm running an alternator from a full size chevy which produces it's max output at a lower engine rpm.

 

[punisher1130]

I'd look at the fullsize dodge and see if the alternator from one of those would bolt up and if it's any better. That's what I did with my blazer, I'm running an alternator from a full size chevy which produces it's max output at a lower engine rpm.

That's basically what I started doing but I get the same results since the Rams, Dakotas and Durango's all have the same set up. I may have found a company that might have what I am looking for but the states they state at idle don't sound to convincing so I'll keep looking.

As for batteries, there are several options for them so I want to make sure I get that right the first time.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

the Rams, Dakotas and Durango's all have the same set up

Lots of differences if you dig around.

The Power wagons came with 160 amp alternators in the 3Gs, and then switched to 180 amp in the later 3G/4G versions. Dual 180s are an option on the new trucks. You might find a 160 or a 180 used on the PW forums. Might bolt right on. My PW is running a 270 amp alt from DC Power Engineering, peaks at 285 amps per the test sheet, and generates a real world 116 amps at idle in my truck. Some have reported higher idle amps with that alt. Even with that alt, I can't keep an Odyssey Grp 31 happy without frequent sessions on a conditioning charger. Odyssey and Optima Grp 34s runs just fine with that one or with the factory alternator.

 

[punisher1130]

Lots of differences if you dig around.

The Power wagons came with 160 amp alternators in the 3Gs, and then switched to 180 amp in the later 3G/4G versions. Dual 180s are an option on the new trucks. You might find a 160 or a 180 used on the PW forums. Might bolt right on. My PW is running a 270 amp alt from DC Power Engineering, peaks at 285 amps per the test sheet, and generates a real world 116 amps at idle in my truck. Some have reported higher idle amps with that alt. Even with that alt, I can't keep an Odyssey Grp 31 happy without frequent sessions on a conditioning charger. Odyssey and Optima Grp 34s runs just fine with that one or with the factory alternator.

I didn't consider the power wagon since they didn't come with a 5.2 and I believe the had a different install set up but I could be wrong since I never had the pleasure of working on one. I think you just confirmed something I've been researching, maybe you can confirm if this is a good path or not. Here is what I found>>> http://www.qualitypowerauto.com/item_537/Dodge-Durango.htm

Its talking about a Durango but they give the options for my truck as well, and I will look into the power wagon avenue too, if they have one that will fit then that might be a cheaper option for me, maybe. Then just need a good battery to match.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I don't know anything about the Quality Power alternators, but they are probably OK. The guys on the PW Forum who have upgraded their alts have done it mostly to support the big Warn winch that comes on our trucks, and most have used the DCPE alts with good results. Two things to keep in mind, though. First, I went with the 270 amp for my truck because that was the highest output unit that still uses the factory serpentine belt, and I figured 270 should be plenty, plus I want to be able to get a belt in any Podunk parts store, or just pull my old one out of the tool box in an emergency. Quality Power suggests that you install a fatter output cable, but you should also upgrade the ground cables as part of the installation. And bigger alts require bigger cable. DCPE recommended 1/0 for their 270, but I found a supply of 3/0 for cheap so that's what I used. 2/0 would have been smarter, but more expensive in my case. Fat cable can be hard to run. I don't know what the battery box looks like in a Dakota, but the Grp 65 factory box in the 3G PW will hold a Grp 31 AGM with a little bit of persuasion.