Listers,
I'm in the process of adding driving lights to my TR3, and am now asking
myself, "Am I at the point where the generator current output is marginal
for all my accessories -- where I have to switch to an alternator?"
I read everything I could find about an alternator conversion, and nothing
told me at what point it becomes necessary. I understand that the problem
is not at driving speeds, but when idling. Obviously, I don't want the
battery to drain faster than the generator can keep it charged.
Along with the standard current drain from the ignition and lights, I also
have a:
1. Heater fan
2. Radiator cooling fan, drawing about 10 amps
3. Driving lights, drawing about 8 amps
Given: It is unlikely that the heater and cooling fan will be on at the
same time. I have installed an adjustable thermostat for the cooling fan,
and it only comes on when the water temperature is quite high, in the
summer. I normally would not be using the heater then (unless perhaps if
the engine overheated due to loss of coolant, I might run the heater fan to
get some of the heat out!)
How much spare current capability do our generators have? Am I OK, or
should I do the conversion this winter?
Sumner Weisman
62 TR3B
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