Ok so I am looking at adding some stuff to my truck over time. I want to add a Bullnose bumper that allows me to mount 2 lights. On the bumper I also want to install a winch. I am going to also install Recon Cab lights. Will the factory alt be able to handle all of this?

If not... What is a good alt that isn't overkill and that will not shatter the bank? I don't need a Hi performance alt for racing, just something that gives enough power for what I am doing.

 

The factory alternators put out well over 100 amps. I don't think you'll ever come close to needing all of it.

 

Great. Thanks.

 

I run 4 130W lights, factory brights 95W ish?, FASS pump , and jamming the stereo (big amp) down the back roads and my lights only dim slightly to the beat.

 

I would guess you're putting a 12K winch on an 8000# truck and the motor current is about 400-500A, lots more than lights or stereo equipment. Winches lean on batteries but the alternator offsets that and replenishes the batteries. I doubt the factory alternator will work very well but the batteries are more important and a 12K needs about 700CCA rating.

I'm putting a 160A alternator on an 8K winch and that is as big as I can get for my 5.0 gas engine. The alternator on my 03 CTD is 136A rated.

Sorry, I don't have any replacement info for you.

 

You could add a complete second alternator to the truck and the winch would still be drawing half its needed current from the batteries. There's only so much current your batteries will accept at one time to recharge them too, so even in the matter of having a winch, I would rather upgrade my batteries than my alternator, as was already mentioned.

 

Being that our trucks come with two fairly large capacity batteries you shouldn't have an problems running a winch. I had no problem running the winch on my Jeep with a single 800CCA battery and a 90amp alt.

Just observe the proper duty cycle rating for your winch to keep from overheating it or damaging your batteries/alt.

 

The power wagon comes with a 12K winch and it works so I don't think I would worry about it.