Alternater capacity?
Submitted: Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 18:52
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36121
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extfilm
Hi all,
Was wondering if I anybody could tell me if I need a different alternater ie: a higher charging cappacity if I am running 5 batteries from it?
I have 2 Waeco (36ah connected together) a Thumper (48ah) in the tray charging through quick chargers???? Don't know what this means as I opened the Waeco and all it has inside is a relay. As for the batteries under the bonnet one is a 48ah and the other is the standard that comes with the vehicle.
Do I need a bigger capacity alternater to keep them charged?
Another question is........ I have noticed that all the accesories have been attached to the main battery from the factory? Ie: Winch, Cigarette lighter plugs for the tray, Spot lights and a few other wires. Is this a standard practice? Should I move it all over to the secondary battery or keep it as it is?
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:11
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:11
Hi extfilm
What do you drive ?
Sounds like you need a complete rewire and proper dual battery system.
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
185078
Follow Up By: extfilm - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:22
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:22
Vehicle is a navara and has a megatronics box for the conection to the duel battery setup. Car is brand new with 5000k on the clock. the duel battery setup was fitted at the factory or dealership. As was all the other gear.
I fitted the waeco quick "charge box"
FollowupID:
441830
Follow Up By: extfilm - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 20:05
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 20:05
I found a link for the duel battery controller
www.bbmotorsports.com.au/prod2307.htm
FollowupID:
441838
Follow Up By: tex1972 - Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 21:19
Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 21:19
we got a new navara at work with 3 radios, little inverter 300w, light bar similar to police and a mobile phone kit, Nissan alternator can only just keep the battery charged if you don't have ac or headlights on so i dont think you have choice other than what we did and get a bigger alternator
FollowupID:
442295
Follow Up By: extfilm - Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 23:27
Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 23:27
I have the D22 with the 3l turbo. Is that the same as yours...??? I would presume so.
Where and what is the cost of a larger alternator?
Thanks
FollowupID:
442328
Reply By: luch - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:50
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:50
Why not get a second alternator installed, you may be asking a little much from the standard one dont forget it was only intended to run the car on its own and a few accessories
AnswerID:
185085
Reply By: Tim HJ61 (WA) - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 20:07
Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 20:07
Remember it's not the number of batteries that are the issue, any alternator would keep them charged. The issue is how much current you draw down on your batteries/power system and how quickly you want the batteries returned to full capacity. Once you've figured that out, and found out what capacity the current alternator is, then go from there.
Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators is right, you need to get it reconfigured IMHO. Why have an aux battery/s if the accesories are connected to the main???
Tim
AnswerID:
185091
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006 at 00:37
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006 at 00:37
Extfilm,
I would recommend most of the low drain accessories and the winch be connected to the Main battery. A winch should only be used with the Engine running IMO and due to the relatively short running cycle will not damage or drain the main battery.
The "Cigarette lighter plugs" for the tray however, are best connected to a deep cycle auxiliary battery for running a fridge, lights, etc., or charging the portable battery packs. An AGM deep cycle battery is the best form of auxiliary battery to have, which allows for a quicker recharge cycle and a full charge returned.
As for the alternator, Tim has given sound advice. The standard alternator will charge everything, it may just take longer than if you had an alternator with higher output.
AnswerID:
185140
Reply By: Flash - Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006 at 14:32
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006 at 14:32
If you run any alternator for too long at rated load esp. in hot weather you'll probably risk eventually cooking it. I believe many newer ones have temperature protection built in???
Factory alternators will normally cut back from full output fairly quickly with a normal starting battery..... however I have very little idea what demand the Waeco's would put on your alternator as wet "deep cycle" batteries won't accept charge all that quickly, but AGM's will.
AnswerID:
185229
Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006 at 16:06
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006 at 16:06
I run three batteries in the surf. 2 x 100amp/hr deep cycles and a 700CCA Centuray 4wd cranker. That would far exceed what you're rig is running by the sounds of it. The surf's alternator struggles and would be running at maximum load most of the time with all my gadgets, it's over 10 years old and still does the job. I could do with a bigger one, but it's not a priority at the moment.
Personally, sounds like Nissan had NFI what they were doing an have ballsed it all up. I would leave the which (as mentioned) on the cranker, but everything else (accessories) would be better suited to the aux battery.
I have everything (radios, stereo, internal lights, power windows etc etc etc) running off my aux batteries. The only thing the cranker does is run the air compressor, and mechanicals (ECU, Starter, Glows, ECT, ETC).
FollowupID:
442004