[DML] Re: Car's use of electricty / alternator & battery question

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Alternators ARE meant to run all the time (just not 100% of the time
at full rated output). One of the problems with the Delorean was the
origional alternator was not big enough and it was in an area where it
doesn't get enough cooling air. Getting a bigger alternator helps but
only to a point. Without enough cooling a bigger alternator will only
get hotter! The alternator has to be balanced with the battery and
they BOTH have to be sized to handle the expected loads of the
electrical system. Generators were not meant to recharge a dead
battery either, only replace what was used to start the motor and
carry the load of the system while the motor runs. The Ducy couldn't
handle the loads on brand new cars! The heat killed them. As an
alternator gets hot it's rated output drops, the Ducy was too small to
begin with! And that was with new batteries!
BTW islolators on dual battery systems are NOT meant to isloate them
from being charged, only drained. That way even if you kill one of the
batteries you still have one to restart the rig.
 This thread is getting away from Delorean specific. For further info
on designing automotive electrical systems there are many good books
you can refer to.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757



--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "John Hervey" <john@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry Dave, 
> An alternators job is not to charge the battery like the old
generators did
> but to top them off. If you have a good battery and it's low sure the
> alternator will top it off but if you barely can start the car and
you think
> the battery will be fully charged when you get to the destination t



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