Upgrade alternator or fit two?

Just thinking I might upgrade my defender 300tdi 65 amp alternator to the disco one which is 100 amp as I will be running a fair bit of kit on it, winch, 2000w power inverter for laptop, fridge, lights, cb, cameras, phones an so on..

Anyway for a bit extra cost I could just run two alternators instead of upgrading the current one. Is that the best thing to do or is it too much of a strain on the engine?

Cheers

You wont be running it all at once, guess you have fitted secondary battery? worth keeping engine battery and utlities seperate (maybe with link switch for emergency starting) then use split charger to keep both charged.
The standard 65A should then cope really, cant see the need for second unit.
laptop and phones cahrge happily off a 150-300W invertor so 2KW is overkill?

I don't know, nearly all of that at once as it's for a overlanding vehicle so it will be getting hammered pretty hard every day (as will i ) it's our only source for 2 of us to keep laptops, phones, cameras charged and we will have a fridge running constantly and occasional winch or air compressor use.. It seems like a lot to put on the original that only needed to run the radio and the headlights!

I have two odyssey PC1500 batteries and a merlin smart bank system, which lets me start of the aux battery if i need to..

I do escond alternator mounts for the 300tdi at sensible money

A good 100 amp altinator will do the job I have one on mine keeps me happy

2nd alternator puts less strain on belts and also gives you a backup while you sort the other out if it goes

discomark10 said:

2nd alternator puts less strain on belts and also gives you a backup while you sort the other out if it goes

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Less strain on belts but surely more on the engine?

The cost is minimal to have 2 instead of upgrade the current so thats what I am leaning towards..

I have no issues with my 100 amp altinator and like you I run a winch big lights and a lot of other things at the same tine think if you want to go mad you can get a 180 amp

drewster said:

I have no issues with my 100 amp altinator and like you I run a winch big lights and a lot of other things at the same tine think if you want to go mad you can get a 180 amp

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No it's not that, I think 100amp will be fine.. it's just that for the minimal cost of the mount I can leave the original and add a second instead of replacing it and just chucking original in the shed where it will never see the light of day again!

This looks good and price is right to

WOSP LMB367LR - 140 Amp Range Rover, Discovery L/H 3lug Replacement Alternator --- Sealey & Draper Tools - CCW-Tools

I changed my 65 amp for a 100 amp alternator on my Def 300 Tdi. Doesn`t seem to put out many more amps as measured with an amp gauge. I`ve gone down this road also. Apparently the alternator regulator only lets the battery get what it needs. Also been advised not to fool with it. So don`t know why i bothered really. I have 2 batteries with split charge and it all seems to cope alright.

gramgramfirey said:

I changed my 65 amp for a 100 amp alternator on my Def 300 Tdi. Doesn`t seem to put out many more amps as measured with an amp gauge. I`ve gone down this road also. Apparently the alternator regulator only lets the battery get what it needs. Also been advised not to fool with it. So don`t know why i bothered really. I have 2 batteries with split charge and it all seems to cope alright.

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Fitting a bigger alternator will help when under big loads, when you heave full beam, spots, heaters, wipers and stereo on, but under light load it wont make a blind bit of difference!

Well I have taken the plunge and ordered these;

Alternator 300 Tdi 96-98 AMR5425 G Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

Fan Belt 300 Tdi 96- ERR5911 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

Will let you know how it goes