Electrical Question
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: NE Colorado
Electrical Question
I have an 03 Ranger 4.0 4x4 XLT. I am wondering if anyone knows the output amperage of the alternator. I have heard everything from 90-110. I am running an all LED red lightbar with red grille lights and dash light along with a siren. Will all these along with normal draw eventually wear out my alternator? I have also entertained the thought of a second battery. There isn't room to mount one, but maybe someone has some ideas. Thanks all!
Elder User
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Odyssey sells dry cell high cap batterys in very small cases... may look into that... It all depends package wise on the output of the alternator. Any additional load will shorten its life, how much?? hard to say. LEDS draw very little.
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Freshman User
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From: NE Colorado
Originally Posted by powerstroke6ltr
Odyssey sells dry cell high cap batterys in very small cases... may look into that... It all depends package wise on the output of the alternator. Any additional load will shorten its life, how much?? hard to say. LEDS draw very little.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Northern Maine
I have driven Police cruisers for the past 30 years. I am a Detective now and run an unmarked car. It is a "plain-Jane" Ford Taurus, not a Police package thus it has the stock alternator. I have had no electrical problems what so ever. When you start running wig wag head lights, strobes, hallogen flashing lights, sirens and 100 watt two way radios, etc all at the same time, then a high output alternator should be considered. LED's have a very small current draw.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Rock Hill, SC
Remember as Powerstroker said, LED's do not pull very much. As in, not much at all. Even at 12 volts, that light bar draws next to nothing. The other thing to take into account, are you running the lightbar every second the truck is running?? I doubt it. Try to keep from running down the battery too much, and you should be OK.
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Freshman User
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From: NE Colorado
Originally Posted by 643NRK
Remember as Powerstroker said, LED's do not pull very much. As in, not much at all. Even at 12 volts, that light bar draws next to nothing. The other thing to take into account, are you running the lightbar every second the truck is running?? I doubt it. Try to keep from running down the battery too much, and you should be OK.
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Your particular application calls for a 540 CC battery 12V BCI group number 59, base number 5522. The model is a PC1200LMJT running about $180 plus shipping. It is a deep cycle type and has an expected life span of 8-10 yrs, plus has a great reserve capacity. I have had no problems running a 500 watt stereo system for 4 yrs on a stock alternator and battery. That is on whenever the truck is... You could get a battery minder for peace of mind which will alert you of a battery which is going low... Overall, you aren't running too much yet in terms of amperage draw to justify a new alternator in my opinion...
