Re: 5ktq...batt keeps dying!

[Pcarselle <pcarselle@worldnet.att.net>]

Todd Phenneger wrote:

> 
>         Phil, I already have my headlight wired to the alternator with my
> own home made Relayed 10ga harness.  
>         If I add more driving lights when I rally though, I think I will
> wire them to Battery post for fear of taxing Alternator.  What do you
> think.  I currently have 4x100 watts which is about 30 amps.  Another 200
> - 400 watts would really cut into the Alternators output to battery!
> Should I still run to Alt, run to Battery post, or give lights their own
> 4ga run of cable to the battery?
>         Dont know how this turned into a lighting discussion but you seem
> to have a good lighting system and lots of experience but ANYONE I will
> accept responses from.
>         Thanks,
> 
>         Todd
Todd:
I have not followed the thread completely but would comment as follows:
1.-The capacity of the alternator is finite and strongly limited by the
range capacity of brushes, stator coil wire, diode and connections.
2.- The 14.5 volts that are referenced to are "peak values", the
rectified sinusoidal wave from the alternator drops to zero between
cycles, and when a level below battery voltage is reached (in every
cycle) the battery discharges.
3.- Connecting to the alternator is the same as connecting to the
battery post EXCEPT for the difference in inherent resistance of all the
components involved.
4.- Batteries need to be measured in capacity (ampere-hours) and not
voltage only. Current (amps) delivery is key to deal with loads.
5.- The internal resistance of the battery plays a major role with
aging...the battery is uncapable of supplying adequate current (amps.)
values due to it's own resistance...(the outside current flows also
internally)
6.- Partial internal cell shorts depending on magnitude slowly discharge
a battery (overnight ??)
7.- When adding load to the alt/batt combination it should be considered
that only when the alternator cycle is above 12v. the battery will
charge, but  below the 12v, (in every cycle)the battery discharges, if
the external load requires more current during that portion of the
cycle, than the current that entered the battery during the cycle time
above 12v. then the battery would slowly loose charge.
8.- If the battery is severely discharged, and substantial loads are
connected, then Mr. alternator maybe strained and mr. coil o mr. diodes
can suffer. (Alt. belt should be in good shape !!!)
9.- Battery life is not chronological (time determined) it is rather
dependent on the number and intensity of discharge cycles (disregarding
other maintenance elements)
I don't know if these are some of the comments you were looking for
HTH
Pablo