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--- electrical:12v:alternator [2022/06/07 14:09]
frater_secessus [effect on alternator]
+++ electrical:12v:alternator [2022/06/23 11:15]
frater_secessus [effect on alternator]
@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 SternWake reports **idling while charging causes a sharp increase in alternator temperature**.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Longer-alternator-life-when-used-to-charge-house-batteries?pid=182096#pid182096)) To avoid this, do your alternator charging //while driving// so airflow over the hot alternator will help cool it.   Other measures included additional alternator cooling or pulley size tuning to alternator RPM at idle.
+==== alternator current rating ====
+In general, vehicles with higher-rated alternators (150A, for example) will handle the extra charging duties better than vehicles with lower-rated alternators (60A, for example).  The rating in Amps will be listed on the window sticker, often on the alternator housing itself, or can be looked up using a VIN decoder for your automaker.
+There are no firm rules on how much power you can extract, but these are commonly-observed limits:
+  * draw no more than 1/2 of rated amps while driving at normal road speeds
+  * draw no more than 1/4 of rated amps while driving at slower speeds
 Note that alternators put out their rated current at higher RPM.((typically highway speeds))  See chart on the right for a Ford Transit 250A alternator.

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