Amperage output 22hp Predator?????

[Vance in AK]

Was in at Harbor freight and the friendly young man had no clue & could find no info on amperage output on the 22hp Predator v twin.
Anybody have a clue?

[msafi65]

For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. All I can find.

[ARGOJIM]

7 amp, may be able to use a Honda 20-25 amp system though I have not tried it yet. Surprisingly the battery that is fully charged on the start of your trip will last about 10 hours with the fan on and the headlights and fan on about half of that before needing a jump, once jumped it will run one ( or in our case both for atleast 45 minutes) without shutting down the fuel solenoid.
I'd carry a jump pack or 2 if going alone or far, switching the brake fan will help a lot. Throttle is important so no extended idling with either on.

[Vance in AK]

For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. All I can find.

Thanks!!!
That # got me a kind lady who told me the specs she could find said 7amps @ 14v at max speed.
Definitely lower than I had hoped... My brake cooling fan & lights are both switched & I'm running a remote mounted group 27 battery because of the winch but I'm still not sure if that output is sufficient.
Opinions???????
Guess I could always add an alternator if it proved necessary...

[ARGOJIM]

Alternator would probably be easiest.

[Vance in AK]

Thanks Jim!
I missed your post here and just found your thread on "Phil" before I saw this. Overall do you like this swap or do you think I would be as well or better served rebuilding the old Kohler KT 17?

[Vance in AK]

And now another possibility... just talked to a guy with an "80s" Argo 8 wheeler with all new bearings in axles, rebuilt (by him) tranny in "good" shape. Comes with a 16hp Vanguard that is supposedly 150# on each cylinder. Said the engine needs to be installed & I assume it originally had a kohler or something in it because he said the mounts need modified. He bought it that way for a project but has too many projects. Wants $1000 for all of it... I assume that 16hp Vanguard would be a good replacement for the KT 17... Couple hundred miles away so I would have to travel to see it...

[ARGOJIM]

I'd get pics and serial number and trans serial along with double or single chain, a 16 in an 8 is going to be marginal even with a g trans with tracks. 80s machine could be tb, KB, or SB so could be manual or hyd brakes with different gearings and may have been Kohler, Briggs or Tecumseh.

[Vance in AK]

He said double 50 chain and mechanical brakes. I don't intend to run tracks. I guess I'm maybe more concerned with too much hp than not enough since I have 1" axles. Maybe that fear is unfounded. Not sure. I know the tranny is hi/low but no info on ratio.

[msafi65]

I think the preditor engine is a Honda clone,will the gx660 stub shaft fit? It's a spendy shaft, over $200. Honda #23311-Z6L-820 makes adding an alternator less attractive. I had a Honda come in with the 3amp charge coils and it was expensive to convert to hi amp coils and regulator.

[Vance in AK]

Yeah the more I think about this whole thing the more tempted I am to just rebuild the KT 17 and be satisfied. The power was adequate & there is no hassle going back in (I have welders, plasma cutter etc so conversion mounts aren't a big thing anyway), I already know it's 15 amp... Reliability is my biggest concern & I guess the old Kohler KT series was that...

[ARGOJIM]

Good luck which ever way you go, I'm not trying to talk you in in out of it but hopefully informing you of what I know. This I know, I'm not that articulate.
As far as specs or performance perhaps some others may chime in.

If you can find an 18 horse Magnum, they are basically updated KT17's with ignition and oil pump being the main difference. Most 20's had the larger shaft. A opposed Briggs would basically make it a Twin with hydraulic brakes.

[Vance in AK]

Jim, you are quite articulate & I always look for your input on here. Your knowledge base is immense & I know VERY little so your input (and that of others with your experience level) is critical for me.
Here's what little I think I have figured out and would like the input of you & others. By the way, my rig will be used primarily for moose hunting and a little exploring here in Alaska. Not a lot of hours. I'm a low range kinda guy, not in a hurry to get there. My main goal is to get there AND back :-) I don't foresee putting tracks on this vehicle. Seems like it's asking for trouble with the old small axles.

#1 The 22 hp predator may be a little much for my early 80s IC. I fear the small axles/bearings may bear more load than they were designed for.

#2 The 18hp Vanguard in the project machine may be a good engine but since the current owner has never heard it run it is a mystery engine (even though he says 150# compression per cylinder). While it would be nice to have another parts or project machine around I'm not sure I need that...

#3 The KT 17 did a good job in the machine for a lot of years (Before I got it. I used it one moose season) but I understand it's limitations so I'm not sure I want it to be my "forever engine" so I'm not sure I want to drop a lot in a rebuild. I do have another parts engine that I haven't torn down. Supposedly rebuildable. Can't remember if it was a 17 or 18hp (KT series) but I believe it is a "Series II". That would have electronic ignition but still splash lube on rods correct?
I may tear it down before I order parts for the KT 17 just to see what's there.

Appreciate everyone's input.

[ARGOJIM]

A series 2 is either going to be a 17 or a 19, the evens were M- Magnums and not KT's.

You keep going back to 1 inch axles, I've never seen them in anything but 2 strokes (maybe a very early Tecumseh but I've never seen one). I'd check them as they should be 1-1/4, an easy check other than the diameter check is if they have pinned on hubs and 3 bolt hubs, if they are welded 5 bolt hubs the axles should be pinned sprocket 1-1/4 axles unless they are the later keyed axles. The smaller bearings can be updated and even the HD conversion could happen with a little fab work.

A good running 17 or 18 machine always went though be it slow (mostly gearing), torque was never an issue. If you are happy with it redo it, if you'd like to modernize the Vanguards are good engines with finicky carbs. If the engine is from a machine it should have a decent charging system and the benefit of the recoil starter. If you go that route be sure to check that the engine is a horizontal shaft engine.

The splash lube is easily found, oil filter or no.

[Vance in AK]

Thanks Jim! Lots of hood info and much appreciated. Someone a long time ago said my generation machines had 1" axles and I assumed they knew what they were talking about. Never really even paid attention. Calipers prove you are right☺
Thanks!