enough power??
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: USA
enough power??
hi,
I have an '84 bronco with the whole lift and big tires deal. I just put on the light bar on the roof (i put on 4-100 watt driving lights) and i also have 2-100 watt lights on the front bumper. I have the stock alternator and one battery as the power source. I am concerned that if i leave them on too long it will burn out my alternator. So i was wondering if I should run 2 batteries, a high output alternator, or ????
Thanks
I have an '84 bronco with the whole lift and big tires deal. I just put on the light bar on the roof (i put on 4-100 watt driving lights) and i also have 2-100 watt lights on the front bumper. I have the stock alternator and one battery as the power source. I am concerned that if i leave them on too long it will burn out my alternator. So i was wondering if I should run 2 batteries, a high output alternator, or ????
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver WA
enough power??
It's probably not going to cause a problem. I had a pretty extensive stereo/amplifier setup in my '85 and I never had any problems with the electrical system. However, there's also nothing wrong with putting in a bigger alternator. They're not all that expensive. You could then feel very confident that you could run all your lights, have the fan on full blast, stereo loud, wipers on, and roll all the windows up and down at the same time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
enough power??
W (watts) / V (volts) = A (amperes)
100 watts) / 12 (volts) = 8.33~ (amperes)
Total the wattage you will have running at any one time and subtract it from your alternator's output. If you have less than about 10% of the alternator's capacity left after this formula, you might strongly consider a higher output alternator. Remember to include electrical accessories you will need like wipers and heating blowers the ampreage draw on these items can be roughly calculated by referring to the capacity of the fuse that protects that circuit. A circuit protected at 20 amps probably doesn't actually draw 20 but more that 15.
100 watts) / 12 (volts) = 8.33~ (amperes)
Total the wattage you will have running at any one time and subtract it from your alternator's output. If you have less than about 10% of the alternator's capacity left after this formula, you might strongly consider a higher output alternator. Remember to include electrical accessories you will need like wipers and heating blowers the ampreage draw on these items can be roughly calculated by referring to the capacity of the fuse that protects that circuit. A circuit protected at 20 amps probably doesn't actually draw 20 but more that 15.
