Amps needed?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,468
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Amps needed?
What would be a good guess on amps needed for a 78 with the following items . Alternator I have now is 80 amps. I don't want to upgrade if not necessary - I think I'm ok?.
No A/C
No super amped stereo
Have:
MSD 6AL
Electric waterpump (claimed 4 amp draw)
power windows
Dual electric spal fans with relays - will be running a bunch
NOS bottle heater
No A/C
No super amped stereo
Have:
MSD 6AL
Electric waterpump (claimed 4 amp draw)
power windows
Dual electric spal fans with relays - will be running a bunch
NOS bottle heater
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,443
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
It's just simple addition.
the 6AL belongs in the garbage, but it I've heard is in the 10-12 amp range.
4 amp water pump sounds small to me
The Spals are 30 amps.
No idea for a heating blanket.
Your probably on the edge unless you have a new high amp battery with lots of reserve amps. I would just try it and see how it goes. Lot's of short runs might tax the system. I ended up going to a single wire powermaster 100 amp which is actually rated at 106
the 6AL belongs in the garbage, but it I've heard is in the 10-12 amp range.
4 amp water pump sounds small to me
The Spals are 30 amps.
No idea for a heating blanket.
Your probably on the edge unless you have a new high amp battery with lots of reserve amps. I would just try it and see how it goes. Lot's of short runs might tax the system. I ended up going to a single wire powermaster 100 amp which is actually rated at 106
Last edited by gkull; Dec 8, 2005 at 02:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,443
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
My Spals are 15 amp each.
Anolog MSD units are very old design and the idea of a pluggin for a rev limiter with a + or - of a few hundred rpm with random missfire is not good for a motor that you care about.
Anolog MSD units are very old design and the idea of a pluggin for a rev limiter with a + or - of a few hundred rpm with random missfire is not good for a motor that you care about.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 677
Likes: 5
From: Cary North Carolina
Lets take a worst case scenario and some guesses at amperages.
Worst case driving at night in the rain with the high beams on, defrost on high and the radio going.
These are all guesses and subject to debate
Ignition 8 amps
Lights high/low and tail 25 amps
Blower 15 amps
Wipers 10 amps
Radio 5 amps
Misc dash lights gauges and senders 5 amps
Total 68 amps
Add your add ons
Spalls 30 amps
Ignition box 10 amps
Water pump 4 amps
Heating blanket 10 amps (just a guess if you know the watts you can calculate the amps)
Total 54 amps
Grand total 122 amps
Moral: don't drive at night in the rain with your high beams and defrost on.
Worst case driving at night in the rain with the high beams on, defrost on high and the radio going.
These are all guesses and subject to debate
Ignition 8 amps
Lights high/low and tail 25 amps
Blower 15 amps
Wipers 10 amps
Radio 5 amps
Misc dash lights gauges and senders 5 amps
Total 68 amps
Add your add ons
Spalls 30 amps
Ignition box 10 amps
Water pump 4 amps
Heating blanket 10 amps (just a guess if you know the watts you can calculate the amps)
Total 54 amps
Grand total 122 amps
Moral: don't drive at night in the rain with your high beams and defrost on.
Last edited by GATOR454; Dec 8, 2005 at 04:46 PM.
