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Best Way To Disconnect An Amp Meter?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by SoCalNickG, Oct 3, 2024.

  1. Oct 5, 2024
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    No great insight here, but it seems unrealistic to expect the alternator to act as a battery charger from fully flat. A typical car battery is about 70 amp-hours capacity, so it would take more than a full hour of charging at full output of 60 amps (typical alternator rating) from completely drained.

    Maybe OEM alternators could withstand that, but I expect there would be a lot of secondary heat generated (in addition to heat in the battery), and the engine would have to run fast enough to reach the maximum rating of the alternator. Dunno, this does not seem like a sensible approach. I suspect cooling is the main barrier. Popular high-output alternators are meant to offset heavy loads while the vehicle operates, not charge batteries from completely flat. In normal service, the generator or alternator operates at moderate load for a few miles to replenish the battery from starting, and then the battery mostly plays a passive role, balancing the load with the alternator output according to the monitored battery voltage.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  2. Oct 6, 2024
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    If you say so.

    Me, I think it is unrealistic in real life to expect I will never have a flat battery, without a charger nearby.
     
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  3. Oct 6, 2024
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nov 22, 2003
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    Just a way too early in the morning I really need sleep thought- this may be why stock alternator setups come with a fusible link & genny setups didn't.

    Goodnight. :sleep:
     
    Glenn likes this.
  4. Oct 6, 2024
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I think if you have a totally discharged battery something else is going on where alternator or generator won't matter.
     
  5. Oct 6, 2024
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Coulda just left the headlights on, and need to get home.. It happens.
     
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  6. Oct 6, 2024
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    That's certainly true.....I guess I read more into your statement than you were inferring.
     
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