alt question

[Jer]

hi everyone i put a plow on my 2001 f150 for a couple of personal driveways and i finally got to use it. anyway ive been picking up and angling it at an idle and when i do the lights will dim to the point that the radio will blank out for a second. do i need a higher amp alt? my previous 2 trucks had fisher all hydraulic systems so i need to get used to this elec/hyd system. thanks for any help!!

[wyldman]

It sounds like your battery is weak.Your truck may not have enough alt\battery to plow for 12 hours,but it should do fine doing a couple of driveways.

I'd have the charging system and battery checked.Install the biggest battery you can fit.Try to keep electrical loads to a minimum while plowing,and try not to angle\raise the plow too much.You only need to lift it an inch or so,not all the way up when plowing.Planning your path ahead of time to minimize angling the blade all the time will help too.

[Pelican]

Make sure all your battery contacts are clean too at both ends. A dirty connection on your battery feed wire will give the same symptoms. Check the ground at both the block and the frame as well.

[Jer]

so you dont think the problem is the stock alt? all the connections look good but i will check some more. thanks for the replys

[wyldman]

Even with a weak or low amp alternator,you still should be able to plow for a while without the voltage dropping so quickly.Get the whole system checked out and find out what is wrong first.

[Mark Oomkes]

Just had this same thing on one of our Dodges with dual batteries. The batteries were bad. I started thinking the pump was drawing too much or maybe the alternator was going out, but it was the batteries.

[Jer]

everything works fine until i pick up the plow or angle it. it acts like the pump draw is more than it can handle.

[Mark Oomkes]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I don't remember when we replaced this pump, but I'm quite sure it has been several years. Tested the batteries and both failed.

I'd start there. Besides that's the cheapest.

[wyldman]

While your having the charging system checked,have them do an amp draw test on the plow.It may be drawing too much.

[Jer]

thanks for the help guys. i will look thinks over this weekend