How much amperage can an alternator support? no really...

[Vittorio Bares]

Apparently the car had overheating problems - the PO installed the
switch. Currently the temp gauge stays in the 180-190 degree range in
competitive driving. So, what is the 'proper' operating temp of an MC1
turbo motor?

Eliminating the point of failure, the switch, was my assumption as to
why this was done. The PO of the car ripped out the entire harness and
rewired the car himself, being tired of typical Audi electrical
gremlins.

Yes the fan is relayed.

Vittorio -

-----Original Message-----
From: John Larson [mailto:westcoast at mypowerpipe.com] 
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 9:08 PM
To: Vittorio Bares; quattrolist
Subject: Re: How much amperage can an alternator support? no really...

On 2/4/08, Vittorio Bares <Vittorio.Bares at nuance.com> wrote:

>>
>> Thanks - this is good info, and encouraging.
>>
>> My cooling fan is on a manual switch and I typically run it always-on

>> (eliminates one more point of failure in the temp-switch). Any idea 
>> what amperage that draws?
>

Running the fan all the time is a less-than-good idea.  The engine will
never get up to correct operating temperature and tend to burn
substantially more fuel over any given period of time than an engine
running at the prescribed engine temperature.  Audi, and all other car
manufacturers go to great lengths to achieve a stable temperature
environment for their engines, mostly for efficiency and emissions, but
also for optimum power from their engines.  You're essentially running
in warm up mode all the time.  As for the response stating that the temp
switch isn't meant to carry a high current load over an extended period,
I think that's bull.  The switch operates the fan relay(s) and doesn't
carry all that much current.  I use them in air cooled applications to
operate oil cooler fans, and they run for hours under high heat
situations all the time.  Back in the days of the 100LS, Fox, and early
Rabbit/Jettas, we saw quite a few fan switch failures, and sold a lot of
them.  I doubt I sell 2 a year now, except for the ones we install when
we change the radiator.  Not much of a failure point.  In fact, I
probably sell more fans than switches. 

John