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How much can the stock alternator handle?
https://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7602		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  RobJ [ Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  How much can the stock alternator handle?
Hi,

At the moment i have a stock alternator and the only electrics i've added are a new cd player and 4 new speakers. Probably drawing about 120w max.

I keep reading about people wanting to add spotlights and winches, and the first reply they get seems to be "you'll need a falcon Alt.".

Can anyone tell me the output of the stock alt. and what's being drawn by a stock zook (Highbeams vs no lights)?

I basically just want to know what i can add without having to change over the alternator.

Cheers
Author:  Reubs [ Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
RobJ wrote:
I keep reading about people wanting to add spotlights and winches, and the first reply they get seems to be "you'll need a falcon Alt.".

IMO, an alternator upgrade isn't required for most people with spotties and a winch. A battery upgrade would be more worthy if you run a winch - not dual batteries, just something more than the standard 300 or so CCA or 35A/h.

As long as you don't sit idle running spotties and winching all night long, then the stock setup is more then capable. Search the forum, I did a table a while back of load on a car at night in one of the threads about alternator upgrades.

At night I make it a point to leave the car running as much as possible, but I have never had dramas running a stereo, spotties, laptop via inverter, etc. - Perhaps a voltmeter is a more appropriate upgrade?
Author:  RobJ [ Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
I assume you mean this:
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... ght=lights

Very helpful.
Thanks
Author:  bugden23 [ Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
I have a dual battery set up on my vitara

I can have the spotlights on, fridge running with the sterio going, and no problems

just don't try and run the spotlights when the car isn't moving
Author:  BUZOOKA [ Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
i can run 4 spotlights and my cd player with out ny problem but the rest of the car no thats a different story:lol:
Author:  LAY80N [ Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
Stock alternator is something like 40 amps. Not very much at all. You can run things on it, but watch your current draw. Your draw of 120W, is that including headlights (high beam) etc. Remember that 2 55w high beams will draw almost what you calculated there.

Watts/voltage = Amps. So you have 120w of draw, that is 12 amps. If you didnt include your headlights then you have 230W which = 19 amps.
Spot light example =
2 55w headlights, 2 100w spotlights and 4 5w globes (tail light, parker light etc) - you draw 25amps there. Add in stereo etc, maybe a few bad connections and your getting close to the limit of your alternator. (this was all done using 12V, car systems will be running 13V or so, but this is just an example.

Im not saying you need a new alternator, but you need to calculate it all out. Just saying im drawing 120w is useless.

Layto....
Author:  BUZOOKA [ Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
wat works out cheaper falcon altenator or boosting my sierra one
Author:  303zuke [ Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
Have a look on e-bay.au for "EL Falcon Alternator". You can buy them from 99c to $200-odd for a brand spanking new one.

You'd spend at least that for an Auto Electrician to reco and upgrade yours.
Author:  BUZOOKA [ Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
cheers pal
Author:  matty87 [ Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How much can the stock alternator handle?
iv got the solution. dont drive at night :D . or alternativly dont listen to ya tunes :lol: . Now being serious What these guys have not asked is do you want to add more current drawing components than you already have? do you drive four wheel drive at night with lots of ideling and or sitting with lights on but not the engine? we shoot in a stock sierra ute and often sit with the engine off but all the lights on when taking long shots. long story short you can draw more current than the alternator puts out, thats what the battery is for providing more current when it is required ie starting or for whatever reason. this said not getting a regular full charge into the battery will shorten its life and may lead to that terrible sound of not quite enough turning to fire.
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