Alternator

madjak · Postby **madjak** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:15 pm

What sort of sized alternator would be considered minimum for a race car?

I'm talking NO aircon, heater, stereo etc.
It would need to run COPs, ignition, ECU, Fuel pump, electric windows, lights every now and then and have some left to top up a battery.

Would a 45amp alternator work ok?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 9:42 am

Can't help with the alternator size but consider fitting an anderson plug type setup where you can plug in an external battery to either power the car or give a boost to help start.

madjak · Postby **madjak** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 1:18 pm

Magpie wrote:Can't help with the alternator size but consider fitting an anderson plug type setup where you can plug in an external battery to either power the car or give a boost to help start.

yeah I'm going to do that. I sometimes have issues starting my car. I'm going to purchase an RC LiPo battery that will hook up in the engine bay (ie close to the starter) via an anderson. I can then hook this up to get it cranking and then disconnect once it's running.

In terms of an alternator... is there any way to measure the draw in terms of amperage whilst the car is running?

madjak · Postby **madjak** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 1:22 pm

madjak wrote:
Magpie wrote:Can't help with the alternator size but consider fitting an anderson plug type setup where you can plug in an external battery to either power the car or give a boost to help start.

yeah I'm going to do that. I sometimes have issues starting my car. I'm going to purchase an RC LiPo battery that will hook up in the engine bay (ie close to the starter) via an anderson. I can then hook this up to get it cranking and then disconnect once it's running.

In terms of an alternator... is there any way to measure the draw in terms of amperage whilst the car is running?

Actually I have a hobbyking wattmeter that runs up to 100A. I can just use that!