[gmercedesbenz]

I will gladly admit that I most likely have way to much in aftermarket power hog toys in my truck, but I was curious as to if anyone else I had the same issue...

My dash lights, particularly the cluster and odometer back light have really started to like to dim when I am demanding alot from the truck at idle (stereo cranked, heat blasting, rear defroster on, HID lights on, both wipers running etc, satellite radio on, valentine one on..etc)..recently this has been the case because of the winter months.

Is it time to go and get this alternator checked out, or am I just demanding too much perfection?
If so, I saw online some high output alternators, worth the extra cash?

 

[UK PONY]

You're likely asking too much of your battery/alternator if it's just started happening you could be seeing the first signs of failure from one of the two.
Be careful with HO alternators as some have been known to overwhelm the wiring that they feed & cause electrical fires. I'm not sure what the stock wiring is capable of handling but do your research & make sure you're not going to make a bigger problem for yourself. Maybe you can just get away with a bigger capacity battery.

 

[gmercedesbenz]

You're likely asking too much of your battery/alternator if it's just started happening you could be seeing the first signs of failure from one of the two.
Be careful with HO alternators as some have been known to overwhelm the wiring that they feed & cause electrical fires. I'm not sure what the stock wiring is capable of handling but do your research & make sure you're not going to make a bigger problem for yourself. Maybe you can just get away with a bigger capacity battery.

Joy....lol Well I think I'll start with the battery since I was planning on replacing it anyway, it's at least 4-5 years old and this winter has been brutal. The current battery is just the standard motorcraft battery that the dealers put in, do you have any reccomendations for higher capacity batteries?

 

[UK PONY]

The battery that repeatedly comes up in conversations like this is the Optima Yellow Top battery;

http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_p ... /index.php

I've heard nothing but good things about them & it's the one I would buy if I needed a new battery right now.

 

[SilverAthlon]

Hey you might take a look at adding a car stereo capacitor somewhere. Even a small one might give the system that extra juice it needs, and will definately allow you not to have to go to a HO non-OEM alternator.

 

[escape05xls]

Yeah I would recommend a new battery and if you have a stereo with subs a capacitor as well. They help a lot with this dim light issue.