amp draw?

[JHardwick]

How many amps can I safely pull from the charging system?



I bought a "gadget" for my truck, but I've been afraid to use it with a 60amp continuous and 100amp maximum current draw. Max would only be on a 15-20% duty cycle.

 

[JFaughn]

I would say your within the operating range of the alt , with a higher duty cycle , so maybe a little shorter alt life .
Give up the secret gadget ?

 

[JHardwick]

I'm predicting a cold winter and I'm fearing that my 400W foot warmer won't cut it, so I bought a 1500W heater :-laf

 

[seemore]

Wow! I didn't even know they made a 12 volt 1500 watt "foot warmer" Are you able to reach Mars with that?

 

[rbattelle]

Wow, 60a continuous is a lot. I believe these trucks have a 137 amp alternator, but I'm not sure what the duty cycle is on that.

If it were me, I think I'd buy a spare alternator and carry it with me... just in case. Especially in winter.

Ryan

 

[MMeier]

I'm predicting a cold winter and I'm fearing that my 400W foot warmer won't cut it, so I bought a 1500W heater :-laf

Where'd you find that at? My Cobra is acting up again and my guy went to Yuma for the winter, don't know if I should get new toys or not?

 

[magothy1]

That's a pretty good draw on 12 volts, I'd watch the belt and carry a spare. ( I imagine you already do).

 

[Bob V]

Watts= volts x amps

1500w/12V = 125A

 

[JHardwick]

Wow! I didn't even know they made a 12 volt 1500 watt "foot warmer" Are you able to reach Mars with that?

All RF transmitters are DC, thats why base radios are bigger than mobile radios ... ... to make room for the DC power supply.



A competition rig will put out 5kw with 2-3 alternators, 2-3 batteries and a motor maul set at 18-20volts :-laf

 

[JHardwick]

Where'd you find that at? My Cobra is acting up again and my guy went to Yuma for the winter, don't know if I should get new toys or not?

I had trouble with both of my Cobra radios. My Connex G/L has been flawless. I get all my stuff local, he can be a little slow, but he's darn good.

The plan is to run the 400 Palomar on "lo" into the 6 pill Davemade ... ... ..... should do 1200-1500PEP

EDIT, I'll get back with you on that mileage report this evening, after I burn another tank or so.

 

[JHardwick]

I thought I read somewhere that the grid heaters drew 190amps?

 

[Wayne M.]

J- what's your wiring schematic going to look like? I assume you're going straight to a battery? You say 15-20% duty cycle. That means you'll use it until the regular heat comes up? Did you figure in the load the grid heaters impose?

 

[JHardwick]

J- what's your wiring schematic going to look like? I assume you're going straight to a battery? You say 15-20% duty cycle. That means you'll use it until the regular heat comes up? Did you figure in the load the grid heaters impose?

Yup, my radio and little heater are straight to the battery. The proposed heater will go straight to the battery on #4.



15% duty cycle is the estimated full modulation of the human voice.



I'll not key down when the grids are cycling.

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm predicting a cold winter and I'm fearing that my 400W foot warmer won't cut it, so I bought a 1500W heater :-laf

If the mentioned 400W heater is still in service, why not amp clamp the B+ on the alt, and maybe you can figure the new load. I'd say you're Ok too, but with a strain, batteries have to be 100%.



BTW- not to hijack, but J, how many miles are you up to?

 

[JFaughn]

You may be looking for more trouble .

 

[JHardwick]

BTW- not to hijack, but J, how many miles are you up to?

359,219 ... ... ... . oooooooops, just turned 359,220 :-laf

 

[JHardwick]

You may be looking for more trouble .

I'm skeered too, had it for a month, LOL.

 

[JHardwick]

If my old alt. could be re-wound to produce 200amps, would the ECM freak out?

 

[KDillard]

I guess the next logical question here is does anyone make an aftermarket hi amp alt for these trucks. Another option was shown a few years back on the show Trucks where Stacey David added a belt driven AC generator setup to a truck so that you could run all sorts of power tools or a campsite goodies. Just couple of thoughts to rid you of the thought of not enough power.

 

[MMeier]

I had trouble with both of my Cobra radios. My Connex G/L has been flawless. I get all my stuff local, he can be a little slow, but he's darn good.



The plan is to run the 400 Palomar on "lo" into the 6 pill Davemade ... ... ..... should do 1200-1500PEP



EDIT, I'll get back with you on that mileage report this evening, after I burn another tank or so.

Ok, back to your 1500 mile days again? LOL!