ym 1500 alternator upgrade

[eiznekcm]

Is there a better alternator available for the 1500d? I would like to add a couple of lights and am afraid of reducing the life of the battery by discharging and recharging (battery charger) so much. I know the stock alt is only about 5 amps (enought o recharge after starting, but thats about it).
Thanks for the info.
Craig

 

[HoyeTractor]

You won't find anything that will be a direct fit. If your fabricating skills are good you can make brackets & probably make something else that will work but not easily. How many extra lights do you plan to add?

Aaron
Parts@HoyeTractor.com
(940)592-0181

 

[eiznekcm]

I was thinking about a couple of front facing near the FEL and a couple of Front facing on the ROPS. Possibly one or two rear facing on the ROPS also. They would not all be on at one time, and would probably not be used for a long period of time based on current usage of the tractor. That being said, I know that if lights are available I will use the tractor after dark more often.
I have thought about fabing something. Problem is there is not much room to the sides under the hood, and if I replace the old unit I have to fab a fan of some kind. I saw several threads about electric fans. I know there are +'s and -'s to the electric fans. I may try to go that route.
As another alternative, I may be able to talk the CFO (wife) into an upgrade, but that will definitely be a long shot.
If anyone has done this, orsomething similar, or just has an ideas, please chip in. A lot of what I have learned from lurking here has come from someone throwing out an oddball idea and others adding to it.
This is a great place.
Thanks to all,
Craig

 

[California]

Why not install a deep-discharge marine battery, or Optima, and then put the trickle charger on after night operation. That's simpler than hacking the tractor up to fit an alternator when there's no space for it.

 

[eiznekcm]

Hey Cal,
I thought of that, but I am not real familiar with the marine style batteries. I know that they are different inside. Something about the plates. Will it hold up to the large discharge of cranking the diesel over? If everyone agrees that it is a good idea, I will go that route. I just don't know enough about them to make the purchase without further input. Let me know what you guys think.

What about a marine starting battery. Is that different that a deep cycle battery? If so would it be better that a deep cycle?

Thanks again,
Craig

 

[reb]

I have thought a bit about doing that with mine. I would probably use the existing fan, with the existing alternator unused. A longer belt would drive a new alternator mounted off to one side. However, given the size of my Honeydew list, that is not likely to occur during my lifetime.

 

[mark777]

GM makes several sizes of the single wire alternator which has the built in regulator (bypassing your existing one). They are very popular and common on custom cars and street rods...and not that expensive.

You will have to fabricate the mount and spacing to align it to your crankshaft pulley. Not impossible if you're equipped to do so and as long as it's mounted to 'swing' for belt tension...your good to go with as many lights and accessories to match the alternators output.

I have not done this...but have come close on a few occasions LOL.

Mark

 

[YanmarFever]

Mark777
That was great advise

I might try that myself on a project I have

Ernie

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Tis a good suggestion that Mark as offered. I'd stay with one of the smaller sized models, may be 40A, as in the upper power range this model was straining partially due to unadequate cooling. But even at 40A that's a lot of power for one of these little tractors.

Older son is just finishing up on installing one of the 12 series (3 wire & larger capacity) GM alts on his Toyota Land Crusier and other son is about to do same on his. Bracket was too difficult to fab and mount

Can't get much easier to connect than a 1 wire model. The down side to this model is at higher loads and with marginal wiring size, voltage at battery could be a little low.

Ernie, If you could use some help, just give me a call. Be more than happy to give you a hand.

 

[mark777]

.........I might try that myself on a project I have....

Ernie

Ernie (and Mickey),

I have a picture somewhere of the small GM 68 amp output alternator which listed for $79.00. It was supposed to be with this attachment:

The autor of the diagram strongly suggest an independent ground from the alternator case directly to the negative side of the battery. This will prevent diode blow out.

Mark