watt are you doing?

["Frank Amoroso" <famoroso@sprintmail.com>]

The equation for your lights is

Total Wattage divided by Battery output voltage equals Amperage Draw.

For your amplifiers I don't believe there is an easy equation because you
are not dealing with continuous amperage draw. You should get the specs from
your manufacturer.

For example I have two Series VIII Hifonics Amplifiers, here are the specs
(at 4 ohm load):

Amplifier                                            Hercules 200 watt
Gemini 200 watt
Idling Current                                     700 mA
900 mA
Max Current                                       40 A
40 A
Typical Current w/ Music                  24 A
23 A

Note: Hercules is a Mono amp meant to run a sub, while Gemini is a 4 x 50
watt to run mids & highs.

So depending on what your alternator's output is you should be OK.

I am running H4/H1's as well as PIAA 90 Pros in the 4000 csq (90 amp
alternator). On high beam w/ driving side of 90 Pro on I am running 580
watts total, battery is putting out 12.5 volts (checked w/ Fluke as well as
gauge in car). Given the equation above, the lights are drawing 46 amps.
Accordingly, I do not listen to the stereo at full volume when I've got the
luminosity jack hammer going (I do have smaller Hifonics amps in this car).
I even took +12V switched current from the defrost switch in such a way that
when the defroster is switched on, it cuts the control current to the
fog/driving lights. For added insurance I've got an Interstate Mega Tron
battery.

All lights are hardwired to the alternator via relays and fuses.

Frank--
'87 4000 csq plenty o lights & stereo
'93 S4 soon to have plenty o brakes & grip. (Test fit the Big Reds today,
looked GOOD)

-----Original Message-----
>> And, uh, and you run _how_ many watts of simultaneous low-beam and fog
lights?
>
>I worry about my alternators ability to keep up sometimes...
>High beams: 400 watts (plus all parking lights)
>Stereo @ max: 480 watts (output... who knows what the draw is?)
>Leaves precious little to run the fuel pump and ECU when the heater fan
>is on high.
>
>--
>Huw Powell
>Leaning towards an external 14.5 volt regulator and some extra ground
>straps...
>