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Dual alternator setup?

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Old Jun 12, 2018 | 12:44 PM
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From: Cranston, Rhode Island/Swansea, Massachusetts
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Default Dual alternator setup?

So does anyone know if it's possible to run a dual alternator setup on the 4.0 with the AC unit still in place? If so any suggestions on where and how to place it.
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Old Jun 12, 2018 | 11:28 PM
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Why do you want two? Just more amperage?
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 05:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
Why do you want two? Just more amperage?
Yeah I'm expecting to run at least 3 or 4 sets of lights on it so it illuminates an area.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 08:34 AM
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The grand cherokee alternator puts out 160 amps. You will need to grind your bracket a little to make it work. Also there are 250 amp aftermarket alternators that will fit with a little grinding.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 08:38 AM
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Run LED's and you won't need to worry about having an insane amount of amperage output from your alternator. Also pays to have a top quality battery as well.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
The grand cherokee alternator puts out 160 amps. You will need to grind your bracket a little to make it work. Also there are 250 amp aftermarket alternators that will fit with a little grinding.
I do have access to a grand Cherokee alternator and I can definitely do some grinding on the bracket I have like 3 or 4 available lol
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
Run LED's and you won't need to worry about having an insane amount of amperage output from your alternator. Also pays to have a top quality battery as well.
I have LED headlights and the fog lights are LED as well, the light I'll be running for the rear is a single conventional off road rectangular one, I'll be incorporating this stuff into the build and am probably gonna run the lights I already have put aside and then change out as I get the chance
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 10:46 AM
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Have you calculated the amperage draw you'll need? I honestly doubt you need more than what the stock alternator produces.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
Have you calculated the amperage draw you'll need? I honestly doubt you need more than what the stock alternator produces.
I have not been able to sit down and crunch the numbers yet but I'm thinking 20amps for the single rear light, 25amps for each of the caged spot lights I have available and I believe (Don't hold me to this) the other two bugeye style lights I have are also 25amps each and all together it seems to be about 120amps total?
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 11:44 AM
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Well, there are a few ways to attack this. If you have grand cherokee alternators at your disposal and it will cost you nothing, there's some extra output for ya. Are these auxiliary lights LED or halogen?
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
Well, there are a few ways to attack this. If you have grand cherokee alternators at your disposal and it will cost you nothing, there's some extra output for ya. Are these auxiliary lights LED or halogen?
Yeah they are all halogen bulbs,
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:19 PM
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Here is the way to figure out what you will need

Volts X Amps = Watts

So, Amps = Watts/Volts. Figure about 60 amps to run the average Jeep. Then add headlights etc and you get close to 100 amps. With that being a high figure, figure what you will need. To all you nay sayers that will say that is high, it is. But we are talking what will be needed for accessories and don't forget that when running this stuff you still have to be able to charge a battery
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
Here is the way to figure out what you will need

Volts X Amps = Watts

So, Amps = Watts/Volts. Figure about 60 amps to run the average Jeep. Then add headlights etc and you get close to 100 amps. With that being a high figure, figure what you will need. To all you nay sayers that will say that is high, it is. But we are talking what will be needed for accessories and don't forget that when running this stuff you still have to be able to charge a battery
Ah ok! I'll go see what the draw is for all the stuff also I'll be (somehow) linking this into my build thread (hopefully) I'll put up the amounts soon as I get them
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:47 PM
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So the Super 4x4 lights are 55 watts, the bugeye lights are 35 watts apiece, and the rectangular light (platinum burner series) is also 55 watts, so all together 170 watts
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:57 PM
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Raining out so using the bed as a parts bench!
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