Going to install a 54" , 832 watt, led light bar. How do I find out if I need a high output alternator. Not sure how to determine how many amps the truck uses at idle and what available amperage would be left over for the light bar. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

What kind of Ex do you have?

Four different engines came in these bad boys, two different gassers and two different diesels, so while I can't help answer your question, I'm thinking whomever can, needs to have this info to help you figure it out.

So please tell us the pedigree of your rig.

And welcome to FTE!!

Stewart

 

Good point...
2001 excursion limited 4x4, 6.8 liter, 149k miles. Best guess is a 130 amp alternator. At 12 volts the light bar pulls 70 amps.

 

Have a link to this product specs ?

The top of the line desert race units from rigid put out right at 30 amps, the chicom ones you see on eBay make some pretty crazy claims yet
I have yet to see one come with more then a 30 amp fuse.


Rigid for comparison
RDS-Series 54" - Spot Surface Cool White Black... | Rigid Industries

 

It's a Chinese light bar in Amazon. No more details than 9-30 volts d.c. and 832 watts. Guess I could wait till it shows up in the mail and check the fuse size but with such a wide voltage range the amperage draw could really vary. One would assume they would fuse the light bar for 12-14 v.d.c. but who knows...