170 Amp alternator replacement

[Hardstart]

I have a 2023 2500 HD, SLT gas engine with 170 amp alternator.  Truck is primarily used as tow vehicle for a travel trailer.   There is solar on the trailer but I want to add a DC-DC battery charger to be able to charge trailer battery while on the road.   I am looking at a 30 amp DC-DC charger that I understand may/could draw 45 amps at peak when feeding the trailer battery. 

 

My questions are, how oversized are the 170 amp alternators and would replacing it with a OEM 220 amp alternator be plug-n-play or would other components need to be upgraded?

[newdude]

27 minutes ago, Hardstart said:

I have a 2023 2500 HD, SLT gas engine with 170 amp alternator.  Truck is primarily used as tow vehicle for a travel trailer.   There is solar on the trailer but I want to add a DC-DC battery charger to be able to charge trailer battery while on the road.   I am looking at a 30 amp DC-DC charger that I understand may/could draw 45 amps at peak when feeding the trailer battery. 

 

My questions are, how oversized are the 170 amp alternators and would replacing it with a OEM 220 amp alternator be plug-n-play or would other components need to be upgraded?

 

 

Should be plug and play.  Uses the same belt too.  13552630 for the 220amp.

[LowOnCash]

On 1/18/2024 at 4:38 PM, newdude said:

 

 

Should be plug and play.  Uses the same belt too.  13552630 for the 220amp.

 

On 1/18/2024 at 4:09 PM, Hardstart said:

I have a 2023 2500 HD, SLT gas engine with 170 amp alternator.  Truck is primarily used as tow vehicle for a travel trailer.   There is solar on the trailer but I want to add a DC-DC battery charger to be able to charge trailer battery while on the road.   I am looking at a 30 amp DC-DC charger that I understand may/could draw 45 amps at peak when feeding the trailer battery. 

 

My questions are, how oversized are the 170 amp alternators and would replacing it with a OEM 220 amp alternator be plug-n-play or would other components need to be upgraded?

 

 

Why do you feel its necessary to change out the alternator. Just use a Victron DC to DC 30 amp module and use your stock alternator. It can easily power the module. I've installed hundreds of these modules on rigs.

 

I assume you have lithium in the RV how big is your battery sets?

 

Mike

Edited January 27, 2024 by LowOnCash

[Another JR]

15 hours ago, LowOnCash said:

 

 

 

Why do you feel its necessary to change out the alternator. Just use a Victron DC to DC 30 amp module and use your stock alternator. It can easily power the module. I've installed hundreds of these modules on rigs.

 

I assume you have lithium in the RV how big is your battery sets?

 

Mike

I second what Mike wrote. The maximum a 30 amp (output) dc to dc charger like the Victron Orion 12/12-30 will draw from the truck is about 35 amps. Your 170 amp alternator has quite a bit of excess capacity and should handle that with no problem as long as that is the only power connection to your trailer other than running lights.  If I was going to pull 50 or 60 amps I’d be thinking of installing the 220 amp alternator but it’s not needed for 35 amps. 
 

I have a Victron dc to dc charger for my lithium camper battery and really like the ability to customize the charging parameters and control charging from an app on your phone. 

Edited January 27, 2024 by Another JR
Typo correction