Author Topic: Alternator Amperage Needed?  (Read 6105 times)

Offline GUITAR1989

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Alternator Amperage Needed?
« on: November 22, 2011, 04:16:08 am »
Hey guys! My trucks treating me pretty well lately :) Ive been thinking about installing luxury electronic componants like power doors/locks, sound system with sub/amp, alarm. I was wondering when does a higher amp alternator become necessary? here are the electrical componants on my truck that have been upgraded so far. tach-gauges-lighting, interior lights, Hella H4 headlights, cd player, hei, my alternator seems to do fine with what I have for now but what if I put some of those luxury options?

Offline bd

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Re: Alternator Amperage Needed?
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2011, 07:44:15 pm »
There are several approaches to your solution, but they all boil down to estimating the expected maximum current draw then adding a reasonable margin for charging the battery(ies).  A grass roots approach is to add up the current draw for every electrical component you expect to operate at any given time (ie, lights, w/wipers, heater-A/C blower, amplifiers, etc... don't forget the winch and trailer lights, if you have them - you get the idea).  If you know the wattage of a device but not the current draw, you can calculate the current draw by dividing the wattage by the system voltage.  Add all the current draws together, then add an "arbitrary" 40-amp margin per battery for charging. 

So, let's say you have two 100 watt headlamps (100 w/12.6 v = ~8 amps, X2 = 16 amps) + blower motor (~20 amps) + w/wipers (~20 amps) + tail/running lights (~1 amp/bulb x 10? = 10 amps) + amp (~250 watts or ~20 amps - although you will rarely run an amp over 70 watts while driving if you ever wish to hear again) = 86 amps.  Add ~40 amps per battery for charging: 86 + 40 = 126 amps.  So, you can "estimate" the minimum alternator at 130 amps.  Another method is to insert an ammeter between the battery and either cable (observing proper polarity) and turn on every electrical device you would run at one time, and measure the load directly.  Then add the margin as before, per battery, for charging the battery(ies).  This is not a strict formula, but it is workable and allows some flexibility. 

A major issue, however, (often overlooked) is wire size versus current flow through the wire.  The more current flowing through a conductor, the greater the effective resistance of that conductor and the more voltage that is used "across the conductor" forcing the current to flow through the conductor.  If you increase the current demand of a system, you must also increase the wire size.  There is a specific formula, but charts are readily available for selecting the wire size based on the current load through the wire with respect to the length of the wire run.  It sounds complicated, but really isn't.  With a 130-amp alternator, I generally run a 4-gauge copper charge cable to the battery (assuming a run of no more than three feet); all cable ends are crimped and then soldered.  Incidentally, don't forget that the ground is half of your circuit.

So, there you have some food for thought....
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Alternator Amperage Needed?
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2011, 12:02:23 pm »
A stock alternator would keep up just fine. However, if you ever need to buy a new one it is always a worthwhile upgrade. The only time i consider it a needed is when you have a snow plow, hydraulics, large stereo system etc.that will draw larger amounts of current but overkill won't hurt here and may help your battery last a little longer and lights shine better.

Offline IdahoMan

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Re: Alternator Amperage Needed?
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2016, 10:00:01 pm »

What effect does a larger alternator have on the HP/MPG? Is there a calculation that is often used?

Offline jg1977c20

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Re: Alternator Amperage Needed?
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2016, 03:40:44 pm »
get a CS-144 in 140 amps and you'll be a happy camper especially for idle output
1977 c20 cheyenne camper special 8200gvw