where to mount
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,563
Likes: 4,232
From: Clayton MI
A capacitor will make the initial draw not so hard on various electrical components, however, it will not make up for an inadequate electrical system to begin with. If your lights draw more power than the alternator puts out, you WILL have troubles. Cap will just delay that for a few seconds........
How many lights do you have, and at what wattage?
How many lights do you have, and at what wattage?
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Washington
A capacitor will make the initial draw not so hard on various electrical components, however, it will not make up for an inadequate electrical system to begin with. If your lights draw more power than the alternator puts out, you WILL have troubles. Cap will just delay that for a few seconds........
hmmm. this truck had major electrical problems last summer while i was working since that magical week of spending 1700dollars to fix that as well as a new fuel pump and 02 senors were replaced
How many lights do you have, and at what wattage?
hmmm. this truck had major electrical problems last summer while i was working since that magical week of spending 1700dollars to fix that as well as a new fuel pump and 02 senors were replaced
How many lights do you have, and at what wattage?
Heyyou was correct in a way capacitors wont act as a battery it just delays the inevitable of the charging system breaking and randomness burning up.
you have 3 real options on fixing the problem completely instead of just doing a bandaid on it
1: convert all lights to LED(hella expensive)
2:LED bulbs
3: Second charging system like ambulances have.
the capacitor stores the amount of voltage the system puts out, and when you use it it drains down. it essentially would only help you if your truck shut off and you had all your lights for maybe about 3-5 minutes depending on the amp draw.
you have 3 real options on fixing the problem completely instead of just doing a bandaid on it
1: convert all lights to LED(hella expensive)
2:LED bulbs
3: Second charging system like ambulances have.
the capacitor stores the amount of voltage the system puts out, and when you use it it drains down. it essentially would only help you if your truck shut off and you had all your lights for maybe about 3-5 minutes depending on the amp draw.
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Heyyou was correct in a way capacitors wont act as a battery it just delays the inevitable of the charging system breaking and randomness burning up.
you have 3 real options on fixing the problem completely instead of just doing a bandaid on it
1: convert all lights to LED(hella expensive)
2:LED bulbs
3: Second charging system like ambulances have.
the capacitor stores the amount of voltage the system puts out, and when you use it it drains down. it essentially would only help you if your truck shut off and you had all your lights for maybe about 3-5 minutes depending on the amp draw.
you have 3 real options on fixing the problem completely instead of just doing a bandaid on it
1: convert all lights to LED(hella expensive)
2:LED bulbs
3: Second charging system like ambulances have.
the capacitor stores the amount of voltage the system puts out, and when you use it it drains down. it essentially would only help you if your truck shut off and you had all your lights for maybe about 3-5 minutes depending on the amp draw.
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Washington
If I do this I want it to be done correctly, I eventually want to run a duel battery setup because I will be getting a warn which before to long. What alternator should i start looking into?
I have 9KC daylighters facing forward at 130 watts each so 130watts x 9= 1170 total watts ( i think that is correct) I have 4 lights facing backwards 2 are your standard cheap tractor lights that you can find at any truck stop not sure of the wattage and the other 2 I have no idea of the wattage or brand at the moment
best option now that i could do some math is to get a high out alternator and a second battery and do the ambulance set up. the most amperage for a single alternator for stock replacement is only 120a which wouldnt even cover all the lights if they are all 130w
Legend
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX
Looks like I will have to for now I only use 2 lights at a time, when i use them and its with the truck on and its usally for no longer then a few minutes.
If I do this I want it to be done correctly, I eventually want to run a duel battery setup because I will be getting a warn which before to long. What alternator should i start looking into?
If I do this I want it to be done correctly, I eventually want to run a duel battery setup because I will be getting a warn which before to long. What alternator should i start looking into?
The heaviest duty alt that you can fnd. But remember the PDC is fused. I think it is 140A.
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Washington
oh yeah im not sure if this is need to know information or not, But im also running inside the truck my GPS police cobra radar, and my cobra cb and sometimes cell phone charger
