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electrical:12v:alternator [2022/06/07 14:09] frater_secessus [effect on alternator] |
electrical:12v:alternator [2022/06/23 11:16] frater_secessus [alternator current rating] |
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===== effect on alternator ===== | ===== effect on alternator ===== | ||
- | {{ https:// | + | Charging the house batteries from the alternator increases the load on the alternator and can be expected to contribute to somewhat earlier failure. |
> I have created hundreds of designs and installed around 100 systems, many with isolators or solenoids. In four plus years not one customer has come to me saying that their alternator failed. I do tell them not to sit in a hot parking lot idling their engine to charge their batteries. -- jimindenver((https:// | > I have created hundreds of designs and installed around 100 systems, many with isolators or solenoids. In four plus years not one customer has come to me saying that their alternator failed. I do tell them not to sit in a hot parking lot idling their engine to charge their batteries. -- jimindenver((https:// | ||
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SternWake reports **idling while charging causes a sharp increase in alternator temperature**.((http:// | SternWake reports **idling while charging causes a sharp increase in alternator temperature**.((http:// | ||
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+ | ==== alternator current rating ==== | ||
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+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | 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). | ||
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+ | There are no firm rules on how much power you can extract, but these are commonly-observed limits: | ||
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+ | * 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 | ||
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Note that alternators put out their rated current at higher RPM.((typically highway speeds)) | Note that alternators put out their rated current at higher RPM.((typically highway speeds)) |