Alternator Arms Race

Looking for some more charging capacity??

48v @ 400A. That's 20kW. ?

https://m.alibaba.com/product/62232732796/Chinese-factory-supplies-JFZC5401-48V-400A.html

Obviously those are Shenzen amps but an indication of the capacities available now.

25HP from two V belts isnt exactly confidence building.

I try to avoid most Chinese stuff, just hard to determine quality and just don't like them.

So when something fails, where do you get parts.

A low cost rebuilt DN 50 would be my choice if I needed mucho amps.

Available with belt drive .

50DN Delco High Amperage Bus Alternator 24 Volt 270 Amp Gear Driven Oil Cooled

Condition:
Remanufactured

Quantity:
3 available

Price:
US $867.00

Not hard to 400A out of that setup. VERY hard to get 400 amps for more than a few minutes without melting it down. Alternators are usually 60-70% efficient. So if it is putting out 20KW, it is generating 13KW in heat internally. Where's it gonna go?

Even a reliable brand (I am using a Delco 28si) will seriously derate as soon as it warms up. My alternator is rated at 160A but will only do about 110 continuously and stay within temp specs. I do have an Electrodyne on the sailboat which will do a continuous 280A @ 24V, but it is a huge piece of gear with external diodes, two large fans, and is driven by a driveshaft.