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too many lights, not enough power


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coolen 
Copper - Posts: 121
Copper spacespace
Joined: October 27, 2008
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted: March 08, 2009 at 7:19 PM / IP Logged  

I've read so much on here regarding different ways to get more power depending on your application. I was originally thinking a HO alt. Now I'm not so sure. Bascially I would like to harness as much power as possible at idle- due to so many led lights, including now a lightbar. I don't want to kill my truck, but I assume that I'm drawing a lot of amperage at idle. So, do I buy an isolator and add a seperate Gel battery?  I think that's the best bet for what I need it for. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

i am an idiot 
Platinum - Posts: 13,666
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: September 21, 2006
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: March 08, 2009 at 8:07 PM / IP Logged  
LED lights pull no current compared to standard bulbs.  Are all of the lights LEDs?
coolen 
Copper - Posts: 121
Copper spacespace
Joined: October 27, 2008
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted: March 08, 2009 at 8:09 PM / IP Logged  

ok, i'll put it this way just so you's all know what i'm dealing with. i have grille lights, mirror beams, led lights on my hood, and an led lightbar with take downs and alley lights.

i would think there'd be a bit of power being pulled.

Thanks

Velocity Motors 
Moderator - Posts: 12,488
Moderator spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Fabrication. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Security and Convenience. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: March 08, 2002
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posted: March 08, 2009 at 8:22 PM / IP Logged  
THe amount of power being used will not drain your battery in a short amount of time unless you have a bad or weal battery. As long as your engine is running the amount of power thelights consume should not be an issue. If you still think there's an issue, then upgrade the alternator instead of getting a new battery.
Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
firstrax 
Copper - Posts: 113
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 18, 2006
Posted: March 09, 2009 at 12:10 AM / IP Logged  
Has anyone ever considered changing the pulley size on an alternator to spin it faster at idle? Would it have an adverse affect at high engine RPM? Or would the engine just stall if it did not have enough torque at idle? Am I just thinking up crazy stuff because I cant sleep?
FYI, a Seoul P7 LED draws up to 2.8 amps and a light bar with takedowns and alley lights (Whelen Liberty) can have up to 48 of them (series groups of 3).
Anyway I vote for high output alternator then augment with a battery system if thats still not enough.
jsewell 
Member - Posts: 3
Member spacespace
Joined: March 09, 2009
Location: Texas, United States
Posted: March 09, 2009 at 7:21 PM / IP Logged  
the guys right, 2 L.E.D. bars barely pull up to 1A of power. Your problem is probably a bad wire or something else in your car like a big stereo system draining to much power
or just shoot for a new battery if its some "off" brand
Do it yourself
bigjohnny 
Copper - Posts: 293
Copper spacespace
Joined: September 23, 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posted: March 19, 2009 at 7:14 AM / IP Logged  
using a smaller pulley will boost your idle amperage. This is what Iraggi does with his Amputator series alts.
Instead of buying a HO alt, see if there is a HO kit available for your.
www.springhillautoelectric.com has a bunch of kits..... I found a 240A kit for mine for $177 after paying $500CAD for my 240A/165A alt from Iraggi.

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