desoto1939 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Need some advise from the group. I ahve a 39 desoto with generator an regualtor and this is a 28 Amp system. I have a heater, radio and fog lights on the car. There is a compnay that makes a 35 amp and 53 amp 6v positive alternator. The only difference in price betweenthe two is $10 more for the 53 Amp model. Should i go for the 53amp model even thought the original system only was a 28 amp system. In my estimation I would think of going to the 53amp. Whats the groups opinion on this. At night I do run the fodlights to help put more light onthe road for me to see so this is why i am thinking of the 53 amy just to keep up the amps for night time driving. What is everyone else using if they have the 6v alternator? Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 at night you will have the highest steady drain on the system beside the starting of the car...the head lights I think are 45 Watts each that in itself at 7.2 volts (output of generator) is 12.6 amps..now add in the parking lights, dash lights another 3 amps maybe.. do you have turn signals..and ignition requires about 3 amps running (5 key on not running points closed)..radio will draw quite a bit if stock..the fog lights will be approx 8 amps or so..the heater motor will be 3 amps (guessing here as I do not know the resistance of the winding) and you see you are now at the max ouput of the generator...mind you also that the generator requires a higher RPM to meet this need so at idle you are going to be in discharge...the alternator will more than not output about 6-8 amps idle..well handle the ignition and feed the battery at the same time..the 35 amp output when starting the car at night and running the accessories will take a longer time to recharge the battery as the accessories will get first priority from the ouput and make up for the remainder from the battery reserve...the capacity to meet the demand and yet have the battery itself draw off the altrnator will be met a lot better with the 53 amp unit.. further in my past life as a mechanic and such the rule of thumb is that the alternator should be chosen to meet your need at 60 percent it rating..thus the 53 at 60% will fall right in line... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Tim, Thnks for the input on this topic. I was going to go with the bigger unit of 53 amps but jsut wanted to get some inout from anyone that had sonme electical background. I do not drive the car that often at night but want the extra security to know that I am covered when switching over to the alternator. I want to do it once and do it right. Since the car is a driver and not a show queen I am not concerned about it being judged at an AACA event or National Desoto event. Just want to have fun driving the car and for it to be reliable and safe. Rich Hartung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop138 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Will the alt. put out more amps than the amp gauge reads? If so you may have a problem---it could start a fire. I found a 42 amp alt. so it wouldn`t go over my 50 amp gauge. Odds are there won`t be a problem, but I have read some posts on this issue-----what you say Tim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 you can easily parallel another ampmeter..say put this one in the engine compartment..this way the current is dropped equally across both guages..so two 30 amp guages will be capable of the 60 amp circuit where each guage will read 1/2 of the drawl..the common feed wire can be fused to say about 40 amps..thus basically protecting the other should one open for some reason... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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