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I installed a CAR PC into my truck and started to have weird power issues. Constant dimming lights and A/C blower glitches made me think that maybe my setup is to much. Once the PC setup was removed from the alternator, everything was back to normal. I only have the 136 amp alternator and honestly do not see any reason to upgrade it. It will only be used to power the engines and cars electrical as normal, maybe a few additional interior lights, and a 100% digital system that replaces all the cars mirrors with cameras, which is currently still connected and working awesome.
Because of Chrysler's choice to put the regulator with the PCM, I cannot run the alternators together. The PCM will think that the first alternator will produce to much power and try to lower the power for the unit. This can damage the alternator, PCM and other electronics. I decided instead to run separate lines for the two alternators. Only thing they will share is ground points.
The second alternator is 220 amps total, 110 at idle, 220 at 1200 RPM. It will be powering 8 screens, 4 amps, and 4 power supply units which power 7 computers and 30 USB devices. It will also be powering a few cooling fans.
After trying to figure out a way to get this thing in there I kept hitting walls. Alot of other designs in other vehicles seem to be easy. Especially in GM vehicles. Dodge did not leave any room for a second alternator. I decided to go to powerbastards and see what people have done. I can across this picture and everything made sense.
This is perfect. Its very simple and straight forward. Simply take a sheet of metal, cut a whole into the plate, slide the alternator into it and bolt it to the plate. I decided to make the prototype out of MDF. I do not have the tools to work on metal. Now one thing you are wondering is will it get in the way of the hood. Yes it will. I don't care and I am willing to modify the hood to get it to close. I am guessing that it will only need minor adjustments.
I am going with a 2 belt set up. Playing with the serpentine belt is to much for me. Here is the design.
I am going to do this by adding another pulley to the alternator pulley. I already bought a second pulley, it is off of a another durango. I am going to have it welded on with first alternator pulley. I also bought a tension pulley to stretch the belt tight. I also bought another tension pulley but it doesn't have the ribs, its smooth. I do not think I will need it though. If i feel there is to much slack, I will add it to the setup.
Now I have started the bracket. Here are pix. I made the front of the bracket and held it in place the way its going to be.
Here it is with the belt and pulley.
I cut the wood to short, I glued a piece to make it longer and hold the pulley good enough.
Here is the second pulley being held up to the first one.
Here is the bracket finished. All I have to do is take the bracket for someone to make out of metal.
One thing that I noticed is that this could be a way to add up to 3 three alternators. Only thing is I only need 2, but I am sure some of you monster audio people can change this to add another.
Here is where I am having issues. How should I mount this thing. I can easily have it hung in place by the chassis support in the front, but that means the bracket will be stationary. My understanding is that the engine actually has the ability to move and shake. obviously this will cause an issue if it cant. So how should I do this? I have these areas in mind, but I am not sure if they are strong enough.
These are the only places i can see to mount the bars on. Basically I am trying to go as simple as possible. So it will be simple bars that go straight up. Then from the back of the bracket will go straight bars. These two bars will meet to create an L-Bar. It will have a bar which will allow the bracket to move up and down to change the angle for belt alignment. I think it will be solid, but how do you guys think I should do it.
Because of Chrysler's choice to put the regulator with the PCM, I cannot run the alternators together. The PCM will think that the first alternator will produce to much power and try to lower the power for the unit. This can damage the alternator, PCM and other electronics. I decided instead to run separate lines for the two alternators. Only thing they will share is ground points.
The second alternator is 220 amps total, 110 at idle, 220 at 1200 RPM. It will be powering 8 screens, 4 amps, and 4 power supply units which power 7 computers and 30 USB devices. It will also be powering a few cooling fans.
After trying to figure out a way to get this thing in there I kept hitting walls. Alot of other designs in other vehicles seem to be easy. Especially in GM vehicles. Dodge did not leave any room for a second alternator. I decided to go to powerbastards and see what people have done. I can across this picture and everything made sense.

This is perfect. Its very simple and straight forward. Simply take a sheet of metal, cut a whole into the plate, slide the alternator into it and bolt it to the plate. I decided to make the prototype out of MDF. I do not have the tools to work on metal. Now one thing you are wondering is will it get in the way of the hood. Yes it will. I don't care and I am willing to modify the hood to get it to close. I am guessing that it will only need minor adjustments.
I am going with a 2 belt set up. Playing with the serpentine belt is to much for me. Here is the design.

I am going to do this by adding another pulley to the alternator pulley. I already bought a second pulley, it is off of a another durango. I am going to have it welded on with first alternator pulley. I also bought a tension pulley to stretch the belt tight. I also bought another tension pulley but it doesn't have the ribs, its smooth. I do not think I will need it though. If i feel there is to much slack, I will add it to the setup.
Now I have started the bracket. Here are pix. I made the front of the bracket and held it in place the way its going to be.

Here it is with the belt and pulley.


I cut the wood to short, I glued a piece to make it longer and hold the pulley good enough.
Here is the second pulley being held up to the first one.

Here is the bracket finished. All I have to do is take the bracket for someone to make out of metal.

One thing that I noticed is that this could be a way to add up to 3 three alternators. Only thing is I only need 2, but I am sure some of you monster audio people can change this to add another.
Here is where I am having issues. How should I mount this thing. I can easily have it hung in place by the chassis support in the front, but that means the bracket will be stationary. My understanding is that the engine actually has the ability to move and shake. obviously this will cause an issue if it cant. So how should I do this? I have these areas in mind, but I am not sure if they are strong enough.


These are the only places i can see to mount the bars on. Basically I am trying to go as simple as possible. So it will be simple bars that go straight up. Then from the back of the bracket will go straight bars. These two bars will meet to create an L-Bar. It will have a bar which will allow the bracket to move up and down to change the angle for belt alignment. I think it will be solid, but how do you guys think I should do it.