AlphaTherm Heated Wash

[Langer19]

Has anyone installed one of these units on there 2014/2015 trucks? I asked about installing one on my 2015 High Country and they replied with that they thought the truck has a fuel saving feature that allows the alternator to cut out when the vehicle is running, dropping the batter voltage below 13 volts so the two units they sell mostly wouldn't work. I would need to get one that has a small gauge wire that needs to connect to a fuse under the hood that only goes high when the ignition is on, and I would need to find that point with a volt meter.

 

Can anyone comment on whether or not that feature is true?

 

Thanks

[bladz1454]

I wanted to put one of these on as well but was curious as to the voltage in the mornings when idling as well.

[austingta]

I would think that the alternator would adjust output under all conditions according to current draw and battery voltage.

[Langer19]

Yeah I'm not sure...it would be nice to have if someone else has tested it out already

 

 

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[corwest]

These trucks do have an active charging system. It fluctuates depending on demand to prevent overcharging the battery

[bladz1454]

I might just bite the bullet, get the system, and fiddle with the power source.

[Langer19]

I might just bite the bullet, get the system, and fiddle with the power source.

If you do can you let us know how it goes? I live in Canada so it's more expensive to buy one and ship here and then not have it work...would be nice for the winter here though

 

 

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[bladz1454]

If you do can you let us know how it goes? I live in Canada so it's more expensive to buy one and ship here and then not have it work...would be nice for the winter here though

 

 

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Will do, I'm going to give them a call and do a little research before ordering.

[Langer19]

My friend installed one on his 2013 2500...would ours be any different?

 

 

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[redxemt]

I have installed the two-wire standard aftermarket AlphaTherm unit on my 2014 Sierra 1500. (I had one on my 2006 and loved it).

 

Your information is correct in that these trucks have "intelligent" charging features. That being said, many conditions trigger a charging condition. These include startup, activation of defroster/defogger, high fan speed, headlights on, estimated exterior temperature below freezing (32 degrees F), wipers on for 3 seconds, battery level below 80%, etc. With any of these triggers, the charging voltage is around 13.8-14.5 volts. This is enough to activate the AlphaTherm unit.

 

Without a trigger (i.e. no large current draw, almost charged battery, above freezing temps) the operating voltage is kept at 12.8 volts or so. This voltage is not enough to activate the AlphaTherm.

 

I will say that I'm quite happy with my AlphaTherm. It always activates when the vehicle starts up, which is when I most want it to work. It also reheats immediately, I assume because the voltage stays up due to the wiper activation input, low battery charge, headlights, or something. I haven't personally noticed that it isn't heating at times, but I suppose it is possible. If that's the case, activating the wipers for 3+ seconds (with perhaps cold fluid), or turning on the defogger or headlights, should get the vehicle to regulate the voltage back up, thereby activating the AlphaTherm to warm your fluid for the next wiper activation.

 

If you are worried about not having warm fluid immediately available at all times, you could get the three wire unit and find an engine-on power source to attach to. You do not necessarily want an ignition source, as this device can draw 50-60 amps while heating and will quickly kill your battery if you have the key at run but do not start the vehicle. I'm sure if you search someone has documented such a power source under the hood. If you plan on using your warm fluid mostly at start up, I wouldn't worry about it and would just go with the two wire unit.

 

The only thing that I have a slight issue with on the AlphaTherm is the noise. It gurgles/bubbles as it boils some of the fluid in the unit every time it heats. I originally planned on mounting on the driver's side fender area but it interfered with the hood closure. I moved it to the firewall, and you can clearly heard the noise. It is nice to know when it is done heating, but can be annoying nonetheless. If I had to do it again, I would mount it closer to the wiper fluid tank near the front of the vehicle to minimize noise. However, this would decrease the temperature of the fluid hitting the windshield due to the longer tubing run.

 

Hope this helps. I think these devices are awesome!

 

 

Has anyone installed one of these units on there 2014/2015 trucks? I asked about installing one on my 2015 High Country and they replied with that they thought the truck has a fuel saving feature that allows the alternator to cut out when the vehicle is running, dropping the batter voltage below 13 volts so the two units they sell mostly wouldn't work. I would need to get one that has a small gauge wire that needs to connect to a fuse under the hood that only goes high when the ignition is on, and I would need to find that point with a volt meter.

 

Can anyone comment on whether or not that feature is true?

 

Thanks

[GMMediumDutyMQ]

Hmm. And here I'd ordered a two-wire unit and was looking forward to installing it on my truck. Guess I'm returning it to Amazon, then...

[Spurshot]

I would think you'd want to hook up this device similarly to the old factory installed heaters...switch controlled for on-demand heating. I wouldn't want it heating fluid all the time.

[Langer19]

I have installed the two-wire standard aftermarket AlphaTherm unit on my 2014 Sierra 1500. (I had one on my 2006 and loved it).

 

Your information is correct in that these trucks have "intelligent" charging features. That being said, many conditions trigger a charging condition. These include startup, activation of defroster/defogger, high fan speed, headlights on, estimated exterior temperature below freezing (32 degrees F), wipers on for 3 seconds, battery level below 80%, etc. With any of these triggers, the charging voltage is around 13.8-14.5 volts. This is enough to activate the AlphaTherm unit.

 

Without a trigger (i.e. no large current draw, almost charged battery, above freezing temps) the operating voltage is kept at 12.8 volts or so. This voltage is not enough to activate the AlphaTherm.

 

I will say that I'm quite happy with my AlphaTherm. It always activates when the vehicle starts up, which is when I most want it to work. It also reheats immediately, I assume because the voltage stays up due to the wiper activation input, low battery charge, headlights, or something. I haven't personally noticed that it isn't heating at times, but I suppose it is possible. If that's the case, activating the wipers for 3+ seconds (with perhaps cold fluid), or turning on the defogger or headlights, should get the vehicle to regulate the voltage back up, thereby activating the AlphaTherm to warm your fluid for the next wiper activation.

 

If you are worried about not having warm fluid immediately available at all times, you could get the three wire unit and find an engine-on power source to attach to. You do not necessarily want an ignition source, as this device can draw 50-60 amps while heating and will quickly kill your battery if you have the key at run but do not start the vehicle. I'm sure if you search someone has documented such a power source under the hood. If you plan on using your warm fluid mostly at start up, I wouldn't worry about it and would just go with the two wire unit.

 

The only thing that I have a slight issue with on the AlphaTherm is the noise. It gurgles/bubbles as it boils some of the fluid in the unit every time it heats. I originally planned on mounting on the driver's side fender area but it interfered with the hood closure. I moved it to the firewall, and you can clearly heard the noise. It is nice to know when it is done heating, but can be annoying nonetheless. If I had to do it again, I would mount it closer to the wiper fluid tank near the front of the vehicle to minimize noise. However, this would decrease the temperature of the fluid hitting the windshield due to the longer tubing run.

 

Hope this helps. I think these devices are awesome!

 

 

 

I only need mine to be heated at start up too in order to melt the ice so I think this solution will work, thanks for the info! For the 2-wire unit...on their site they have 2 models:

 

1) AT-37 GM

2) AT-380D

 

Which one did you order?

[Langer19]

After reading about them I think I would need the AT-380D

[GMMediumDutyMQ]

I would think you'd want to hook up this device similarly to the old factory installed heaters...switch controlled for on-demand heating. I wouldn't want it heating fluid all the time.

I don't believe it does; I believe the integrated processor looks at a lot of variables and then regulates temp as needed.

 

I also don't recall the heated wash system on Lucerne/DTS or the GMT900s being switch-controlled...