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--- electrical:12v:alternator [2022/12/08 13:55]
frater_secessus [lithium-specific]
+++ electrical:12v:alternator [2022/12/19 12:05]
frater_secessus [alternator current rating]
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ==== alternator current rating ====
-{{ https://img.mousetrap.net/misc/transit250alternator.jpg?150}}
 In general, vehicles with higher-rated alternators (150A, for example) will handle a given load 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 - this includes the vehicle's own demands (lights, wipers, fans, etc). 1/3 may be a safer rate for continuous charging.
-  * draw no more than 1/4 of rated amps while driving at slower speeds.
-  * [[rv:idling#charging|do not idle]] to charge house batteries
-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.
-See [[https://youtu.be/gDIsOaEI9Wo?t=344|this excellent video]] discussing the output of an example alternator.

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