Forum:
I've just fitted some additional front fog/driving lights in the bumper but i'm a little concerned on how small the alternator is.
The new lights are 35W HID's so only draw 5 amps
but if i add up all the other stuff side lights, dipbeam, radio, rear fog, heater fan motor & cigerete lighter (for phone charger / sat nav) it's approching 40 Amps which is the output of the alternator. Plus there's the engine blackbox and coil/spark plugs and there needs to be a little left to recharge the battery after you start!
I'm going to fit an ammeter inline to check the output from the alternator and also check the current draw from the battery of all the curcuits with the engine running.
I still think i'm going to need a bigger alternator, does anyone know of an easy upgrade a straight swap with another vechicle that uses the same engine but bigger output alternator?
As another option, have you
As another option, have you considered exchanging your standard bulbs like side lights, rear license plate, stop/tail, cabin lights for LEDs? I have done this on my YRV and noticed straight away that the engine and alternator were better for it.
Could be worth looking at a hi-jet alternator if not the same or one of the other Daihatsu Models. I believe the Sirion and YRV are good for 75amps? I suppose it will be down to space.
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'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
I very much doubt you will a
I very much doubt you will a problem , How often would you have everything running together, and a phone charger in the cigar lighter only draws about 0.5-1 amp.
But if you did, you can always just fit another battery so you have 2 joined working and charging together.
Or alternator reconditioners can uprate the output of any alternator.