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08-10-2018, 07:27 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Endeavor, WI
Posts: 119
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Headlight Electrical Draw
I'm looking to see what everyone's average amperage draw is when the headlights are on? I'm getting about -8 amps indicated on my ammeter...it seems excessive. I figured that with the headlights on the ammeter would drop but not dip so low.
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08-10-2018, 08:14 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,157
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
I have 35 watt halogens, 2 tail lights stock bulbs, including ignition,dash light 14 amps, all else stock , never dead battery, never charged except by driving,--- 35%lights on
If you read the owners instruction book it says there WILL be a discharge showing when driving with the headlights on, and at idle, --- it's normal, the charge rate needs to be adjusted for your use--- mine is about 14 amps, last battery lasted 16 years so it's a good setting for my use , I do leave the cover band off, and it's probably time to take the generator apart to service it, hasn't been worked on in over 40years |
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08-10-2018, 10:39 PM | #3 |
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
I you are using the grossly inaccurate ammeter in the car, then you are just fine!
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08-11-2018, 02:06 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
Several variables that affect the draw. Ammeter accuracy being one. The type of headlight and tail light bulbs is another, and where the third brush of the generator is set being a third, and the condition of the battery being yet another. I am not sure there is an average sort of number that you could say is correct.
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08-11-2018, 05:32 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,099
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
Fun Projects regulator will address all your day/night amperage concerns.
John |
08-11-2018, 08:18 AM | #6 |
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Location: Eagle Bend, MN
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
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08-11-2018, 09:26 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Guthrie, OK
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
One 50 CP bulb is about 36 watts, or 6A at 6V, and increases with higher voltage. Total head/tail lights + coil current draw will run 15-16A at 7V with a well-charged battery. The cutout contacts close at about battery voltage, so your meter shows the battery discharging 8A, the rest being provided by the generator.
You could adjust the 3rd brush for more current, less discharge of the battery, but I wouldn't want to push the generator over 12A continuous. Depends on how much driving you expect to do with headlights on. If not much, you're probably OK as is. That brush adjustment is more an art than a science. Last edited by Badpuppy; 08-11-2018 at 10:29 AM. |
08-11-2018, 07:37 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
Stock headlamps and taillight draw about 8 amps. My 28 is all stock and draws 8 amps.
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08-11-2018, 09:55 PM | #9 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Guthrie, OK
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
Quote:
As for me, I swapped in a 6V 30A alternator, which can handle all that, and has a built-in regulator so I don't have to worry about a 3rd brush setting. |
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08-12-2018, 03:42 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Headlight Electrical Draw
The long generator can safely produce 12 amps continuous, and the powerhouse can give 15 amps.
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