Anyone know or have an idea what the head lights draw amp wise ? I'm looking at a new alternator and trying to figure out what to get, all I have are the head lights, MSD box and a Derale dual fan setup. Currently when the fans come on the initial draw is 50 amps and the car surges, I havent driven at night yet but with the lights on and the fans going I'm guessing not a good outcome. Trying to figure out If I should lean toward a 100amp or 140amp alternator

 

100a will be plenty of amps with a lot of reserve capacity :headlights are about 3.5a each.the momentary stumble when the fans are switched on is common with larger fans and can be eliminated by staggering the turn on of the fans,making up a series-parallel,fan circuit,or an electronic soft start fan control.also make sure all the wiring -including the engine-body ground are up to the task.

 

Sounds like a plan I'll looking into 100amp, upgrading the Alt wiring is next on my list

 

Looks like the ticket

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tff-7127d

 

I have one of the TF power steering pumps. No complaints. Seems like they make pretty decent stuff.

GD

 

They have good reviews on Summit and it's made in the USA so I figured I'd give it a try. I also have their power steering pump, little on the expensive side but like you no complaints

 

I think you'll find that headlights draw something on the order of 10 - 15 amps.

Remember, cars have had them for A LONG TIME; from back in the days when a 30 amp generator was YUUUUUJJJJJJE. Even then, they recharged batteries after starting, meaning they not only ran the "live" electrical loads like ignition and headlights, and later on heater blowers, but also, had enough capacity left over to replenish the batt at the same time.

The stock alt on my 83 L69 car w/ electric fan was something like 87 amps. The stock EF didn't draw 50 amps at startup of course, maybe 30 or so, but the alt had no trouble running that, headlights, radio, A/C, etc. etc. etc., and of course keeping the batt topped off.

100A will be fine. I'd look for a smaller. lighter, more efficient, more modern one than a 10SI though, if it was me.

 

My car came with a clutch fan and A/C, I'm assuming its only around a 60ish amp alternator. What do you recommend for an alternator and does it fit like stock? I'm sick of modifying everything to fit and work, If you could post a link it would be much appreciated

 

Is this a race car, or what? What else is on the front of the motor? (WP, PS, etc.)

If all (or at least most) of that is still stock, and you're still running the stock bracketry pulleys & belts, then a stock alt (10SI) is fine; not least because, it fits, bolts up, works, and requires no further thought. If all you're looking for is "what rebuilder should I buy my rebuilt 10SI from", I have no further advice to offer; there's about a half-billion of them, and at the end of the day, you're gonna just end up with a rebuilt 10SI, no matter whose sticker is on it. If on the other hand that stuff is all changing anyway, the picture changes.

 

Street/Strip car, running a alternator, water pump and power steering and still all stock brackets ( March Performance ) for the most part.

 

Well then, looks like it's yerbasic rebuilt 10SI for you.

Any of em will do, electrically. It'll be a question of longevity and reliability, not a matter of "enough" alt. Get it with whatever sticker peels your banana the most.

I'd avoid "new" ones, such as from ebay. No matter how cheeeeep they appear to be compared to others. Those tend to be chinesium CRAP "designed to fit"; NOT OEM grade. No telling what's inside of em. OE parts might not even fit at all, who can know.

 

Thanks

 

I think the summit one you linked will work great

 

So I got my 2nd replacement alternator in the first had a nasty wobble to the shaft/pulley. Question is that its was recommended to upgrade to 6ga power wire which I did, usually I thought you match the power and ground wire sizes. Well the alternator has a grounding tab and on it says use a 10ga wire for grounding, I did this and its about an 8" span grounding to the block. Will I be good or should I try and or for a 6ga ground ?