quad alts

[nocturnalrites101]

anyone here run quad alts? if so whats your drivablity / streering like? is it a significant difference load wise on your motor?

@meade916

[Kyblack76]

Yup,....4 singers here.

Kenny drove me, and the fucking thing 1100 miles , one way to world finals. We shut 3 off via a switch driving. Only time all 4 are chugging is in the lanes. 

[nocturnalrites101]

seems to be the common thought is put switches on the exciter wire on the extra alts

[SterTheDer]

Some simple back of the envelope calculations:

Let's assume 360 amp alternators, at 15v.
360amps * 4 Alternators = 1,440 amps.
1,440 amps * 15volts = 21,600w 

22kw is roughly 30horsepower.
So, being extremely generous here, if all four alternators were operating at full load, you should see 30-40horsepower load on your engine.
For comparison, your A/C compressor might be putting a load of 10-20horsepower (Depending on the size)
"1 ton cooling power =12k btu/h

If it is a two tone unit then it draws 24k btu/h of energy.
1 ton=12k btu/h
1 hp=2,544 btu/hr
therefore for a 2 ton unit it draws 12k/2544=9.4 HP
3 ton unit 36k/2544=14 HP
There are also mechanical losses as well such as noise, heat& belt on top of that.
I did not include the power drawn by the fan either."- Caspiam M, in a forum post located here: (https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1944982)

So, if you are driving a small 4cyl engine, with A/C and 4 alts at full tilt, it might make it really sluggish to get up to speed, but with a truck/SUV large enough to mount quad alt's, you really shouldn't notice much if any decrease in performance.

[Masterbasser]

yep I'm curious as well getting ready to order a quad bracket in 2007 gmc Yukon xl myself. I have ehard stories of quads stalling engines

 

I would like to add ive had issues myself with 180 degrees of belt wrap on a mechman 320 in a 6 rib serpentine config.... belt slip ect. top of line belt have been lasting half a year or more though