Alternator output?

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Alacrity
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Alternator output?

Post by Alacrity » Fri Feb 25, 2011 12:09 pm

Can anyone tell the max output of a 2.5d alternator output? I have a 30a fuse in the charging line for my leisure battery & it has blown once, I assume when the battery was being charged from being very low. As I am away in it for 10 days soon I need to make sure I have a reliable leisure battery. What size fuse would be normal for this usage? Of course the alternator output is being absorbed by two batteries in this application so the fuse wouldn't have to cope with all the output. I had the system installed by a highly regarded local auto electrician that I have known for many many years.

Also what are the suggested decent leisure batteries?
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Re: Alternator output?

Post by g8dhe » Fri Feb 25, 2011 12:47 pm

30 amps is about the right size in respect to the charging current itself, but check that BOTH fuses are OK if one has blown, as both will have been heated but only one will normally blow and the other one cools down but may have been damaged and may blow at a lower current in the future. The problem with increasing the fuse size is that the wires may not be adequate to handle say 40 amps or more.
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Alacrity
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Re: Alternator output/leisure battery?

Post by Alacrity » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:55 pm

When you say both fuses, you me the one in the supply wire?
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Re: Alternator output/leisure battery?

Post by rita » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:44 pm

Alacrity wrote:When you say both fuses, you me the one in the supply wire?

Hi,there is usually a fuse from SB to relay and from relay to LB.

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Re: Alternator output?

Post by 321Away » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:19 pm

30A will blow with a flat battery, have tested the current draw with a dead flat battery and it spikes to about 50A on initial contact, its why i always suggest using maxi blade fuses as they can sustain twice their continuous rating for a short period.

I note how everyone is jumping on the fuses everywhere bit but only ever use normal blade fuses and holders?

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Re: Alternator output?

Post by MountainGoat » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:47 pm

My bongo is a full camper and a second car so it does not get used much over the winter months. To prevent the Leisure Battery from being accidently flattened by leaving something switched on I have a Battery Disconnect Terminal fitted similar to this one which I got off Ebay. Works fine.

Tony

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car ... erminal.do
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Re: Alternator output/leisure battery?

Post by g8dhe » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:20 pm

Alacrity wrote:When you say both fuses, you me the one in the supply wire?
The fuses protect the cable from the power source, so that if the cable gets shorted to earth then rather than the cable burning out and catching fire the fuse blows - with a Split Charge relay set-up you have TWO power sources, hence you need a fuse close to EACH battery ! Otherwise if the cable gets damaged and shorts to earth the fuse to one battery will blow - great what should happen - but the other battery will continue to cause the cable to melt / catch fire !!

We have had two cases, so far in the last few weeks, where following other problems with the L/B this has shown up that the fitters have only fitted one fuse!

See this thread as well http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =1&t=47135 its not just Bongo's but garages in general who really don't what they are doing when it comes to vehicle electrics :-(
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
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