Dual Power for the Patrol: American Power Systems Unveils a Dual‑Alternator Setup It Says Delivers Up to 500 Amps for the Nissan Patrol

On December 1, 2025, American Power Systems (APS) unveiled a dual‑alternator charging solution for the Nissan Patrol that the company says produces up to 500 amps of combined charging capacity. APS announced the kit in a press release, pitching it as a direct bolt‑in upgrade for Patrol owners who run heavy accessories such as winches, dual batteries, fridges and roof‑top camps.

The announcement is simple and direct: owners of a vehicle that is prized for long trips and heavy loads now have a purpose‑built option to keep their auxiliary systems charged without swapping alternators or rigging complex external setups. APS is targeting a crowded niche of overlanders, fleet operators and outfitters who have been pushing conventional alternators to their limits.

Why this matters: the Nissan Patrol is widely used in parts of the world where long distances, rugged terrain and heavy payloads are standard. Add a powerful winch, multiple fridges, lighting and an inverter for hot showers or tools, and a factory alternator can struggle to keep the house battery bank topped up. That’s when drivers either run the engine for long periods, add external chargers, or accept slower charge rates. APS’s pitch is that a dual‑alternator system eliminates those compromises by delivering much higher charging current without sacrificing starter reliability.

Technically, dual‑alternator systems are not new. Enthusiasts and specialty shops have been fabricating multi‑alternator setups for years. What APS is promising is a packaged, vehicle‑specific solution: brackets, wiring harnesses, and electronic control that are matched to the Patrol’s engine and electronics. That reduces installation time and error, which is a real selling point for customers who don’t want to rewire their vehicle for months to get reliable charging.

APS frames the kit as more than brute force. According to the company’s statement, the system uses staged charging and smart control so the starter battery remains the priority for cold starts while auxiliary batteries receive higher current when safe. That kind of charge management is important because two alternators without coordination can create voltage and control conflicts, or risk overcharging fragile lithium battery packs. APS says it has integrated sensing and a control module to avoid those problems.

From a business perspective, the timing makes sense. Vehicle electrification and the proliferation of high‑draw accessories have created a real aftermarket opportunity. Camping fridges, high‑power inverters for induction cooktops and welders, electric winches, and lighting arrays push alternators well beyond their original design. Aftermarket charging systems have grown from niche workshop projects to a significant revenue line for parts makers, installers and retailers.

For APS, the Patrol is a logical starting point. The vehicle is popular among off‑road enthusiasts in Australia, the Middle East and parts of Africa, where long distances and heavy loads are common. A ready‑made kit that fits a widely used platform can scale faster than bespoke solutions. If APS executes well on supply, warranty and installer support, it could win significant share among outfitters and commercial users.

Competition already exists. Other suppliers sell high‑output alternators, DC‑to‑DC chargers and robust battery management systems that solve parts of the problem. APS’s advantage will hinge on three things: ease of installation, reliability in harsh environments, and how cleanly the electronics integrate with the Patrol’s onboard systems. Buyers will judge the product on bench tests and, more importantly, in the field where dust, heat and prolonged runs matter.

There are also trade‑offs to consider. A dual‑alternator system adds weight and complexity, and it makes engine bays more crowded. It can increase parasitic losses when the vehicle is idling, and the higher charge rates must be matched to battery chemistry and cable sizing to avoid overheating. Professional installation and correct configuration will be crucial; an off‑the‑shelf kit is only as safe as the wiring and batteries it connects to.

From a pricing and value perspective, APS will need to convince buyers that the upfront cost and installation time are worth the convenience. For owners of expensive camping setups or commercial Patrols that can’t afford downtime, paying more for a factory‑matching kit that comes with warranties and technical support is an easy decision. For casual owners the calculus will be different.

There are broader industry implications. If packaged dual‑alternator systems become mainstream, they could change how vehicle manufacturers think about accessory power. OEMs have so far been cautious about adding very high‑capacity alternators because of cost, emissions and packaging. But aftermarket demand could push manufacturers toward offering higher‑output charging as an option, or toward designing vehicles with modular electrical upgrades in mind.

For investors and suppliers, this announcement highlights a hot corner of the accessory market. Companies that can produce reliable, integrated electrical systems stand to benefit from rising consumer interest in overlanding, van life and mobile commercial applications. The lift in accessory electrification is also creating secondary markets in upgraded cables, fuses, battery monitors and installation services.

For Nissan Patrol owners considering the APS kit, a cautious approach makes sense. Ask for detailed specs, installation guides, and real‑world test results. Verify that the control system is compatible with your Patrol’s model year and electronics package. Confirm whether APS supports lithium battery chemistries and whether the warranty covers installation‑related issues. Finally, have an experienced installer do the work and test the system under load before a long trip.

APS’s announcement is a reminder that even mature vehicle platforms can undergo meaningful electrical upgrades. Whether this kit becomes the new standard for serious Patrol users will depend on performance in the field, supply reliability and how quickly installers and buyers adopt the packaged approach. For now, the company has put a clear marker in the ground: a ready‑made way to triple or quadruple the practical charging capacity of a Patrol in demanding conditions, according to its claims. That will be an attractive proposition for anyone who has ever run out of power at camp and wished the alternator could do more.

Sources

• prnewswire.com