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Re: 66 amp alternator

To: "Datsun Roadsters" <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: 66 amp alternator
From: Neil Levine <nalevine@dcn.davis.ca.us>
Date: Mon, 21 May 2001 10:17:44 -0700
Terry,

A series connection of fuses will protect only up to the current rating of 
the lowest rated fuse in the line. I think you are referring to a parallel 
connection in which the fuse capacities will basically sum together.

Alternator
      |
      |
fuse  fuse  fuse
      |
      |
Battery



Neil Levine

At 11:59 AM 5/21/01 -0500, you wrote:
>In a one wire setup you are only charging the battery, and the battery
>supplies energy to the rest of the system.  The alternator only pulls max
>amps when the battery is completely drained, like pulling the coil wire and
>grinding the starter until you run out of juice, or turning on a 150 watt
>driving light without starting the engine, and leaving it on for a while.
>Put a 30 amp fuse into the wire from the alternator to the battery to
>protect the rest of the system if the alternator malfunctions and tries to
>overcharge the battery, or if there is a short in the system, which was
>designed for less than 30 amp loads. If you really want to protect the
>system, put three 30 amp fuses in series, for a grand total of 90 amps of
>protection.  A diagram is below.
>
>Alternator
>      |
>      |
>30 amp fuse
>      |
>      |
>30 amp fuse
>      |
>      |
>30 amp fuse
>      |
>      |
>Battery
>
>
>If you put six 15 amp fuses in series, you get the same protection.  Or nine
>10 amp fuses.
>
>Leisure Suit Terry

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