I wonder if we are missing a point here. On a modern car the output from
the alternator not only charges the battery when this is necessary but
also drives all sorts of other electric equipment such as power
steering, heated seats, fast warm up heater, entertainment units etc.
As you say a C45 or C42 has limited output but if an alternator is
substituted and extra lights are fitted it will be able to supply the
light AND charge the battery at a good rate if it is low. In this case a
thicker wire from the alternator is advisable. A 50 amp alternator and a
50 amp wire should be adequate for one of our cars because it would feed
all the equipment and charge the battery at the maximum permissible
rate if this were in a low state,
Regards
>Bob, your equation is completely right, but additionally the current flow is
>limited by the capability of the source. Dynamos built into AHs (Lucas C45
>and C42) were capable of an output of max. about 20-22 amps (even if the
>resistance would be 0 ohm) and the related cables were adjusted to that.
>Modern replacement alternators can do at least double the output. Guess what
>can happen when a modern alternator starts charging a flat battery and the
>cables have not been exchanged.
>
>Right, an alternator isn't meant to be a current-limiting device, but its
>capabilities are limited. Otherwise I wouldn't see a reason for alternators
>with different amps.
>
>Best regards
>
>Eric
>Heinsberg/Germany
>
--
John Harper
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