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

[LL - NY]

At those current levels, you'd want to consider an inductive current meter.
You don't need to break the lines to measure the current, just clamp the
coil around the lead in question (the ground line to the battery would be
best) and determine the current draw.

LL - NY

On 2/6/08, Huw Powell <audi at humanspeakers.com> wrote:
>
>
> > So - as far as I can tell - based on the what I have from the list so
> > far:
> > Fuel Pump = 10a (always on)
> > CIS = 10a (always on)
> > Ignition = 10a (always on)
> > Rad Fan = 20a (always on - at least for now)
> > Heater Fan = 15a (always on in the winter ;)
> > Brake Lights = 5a (on a lot)
> > Computer, gauges, etc = 5a (always on)
> > Head lights low = 55w x 2 = 110 w = 10a
> >
> > So given this set - looks like I need 85amps (in the winter). Do the
> > numbers look right?
>
> Yes, and no.  They all look like good "estimates" - but I suspect they
> are all overestimates.
>
> The car in stock trim would be using 85 amps (when the rad fan is on)
> without turning on the defroster or radio?  I doubt that.
>
> Access to a decent high-current ammeter would answer your questions in a
>   matter of minutes with "real" numbers.  Hmmm, wait, more than a couple
> of minutes, you'd have to disconnect the alt and run on only the battery
> to have good numbers.
>
> Oh, here's one for you - replace your brake and parking lights with the
> LED versions. A bit pricey, but lower current.
>
> --
> Huw Powell
>
> http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi
>
> http://www.humanthoughts.org/
> _______________________________________________
> quattro mailing list
> quattro at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
> ---
> Watch this space for ads :)
>