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Wiring spotties to the alternator
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:14 pm
by bogged
Talkin to a mate that wired his spotties directly to the alternator..
What are the advantages, is it a good idea, and how is it done?
thanks
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:51 pm
by toughnut
I don't think it is a good idea as you won't get consistent light out them as the power output from your alternator varies with engine revs. What if you need to use your lights for winching etc when your engine has died? Just my two cents.
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:28 pm
by pongo
Well, seing how the alt is connected to battery, you really are just giving it all the power it can muster. I run my alt into my whinchsolonoids then to the battery,then into the relays for the spotties. All connections are nice and clean and i dont see any volt drop.
Maybe the only prob i could see is if the wires started to rub before a fuse and shorted out.
Cheers
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:40 pm
by toughnut
Yeah. I only thought of it one way. Having said that though, wouldn't that just be the same as wiring it all up to the battery?
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:56 pm
by chimpboy
toughnut wrote:Yeah. I only thought of it one way. Having said that though, wouldn't that just be the same as wiring it all up to the battery?
Exactly the same. There is not point at all in doing this.
lights off alternator
Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 1:09 pm
by mgundle
having the driving lights wired directly to the alternator guarantees consistent output voltage minimising voltage drop through the electrical system this is a ideal spot as it is directly connected to the battery but also is the first place the incresed voltage is coming from
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:36 pm
by bogged
chimpboy wrote:toughnut wrote:Yeah. I only thought of it one way. Having said that though, wouldn't that just be the same as wiring it all up to the battery?
Exactly the same. There is not point at all in doing this.
I was thinkin this, but he started with techno crap I didnt understand..
thanks
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:57 pm
by drivesafe
Actually there is a good reason for not doing it.
With any large load, not just driving lights, connected to the battery, has the advantage of the power coming from the alternator being filtered by a combination of the battery and the cable running between the battery and alternator and it also acts in reverse to protect the alternator as the battery will supply that first instant of power surge as you turn large loads on.
By the way, if there was any form of advantage by connecting directly to the alternator, you can be sure the vehicle manufacturers would have done it years ago and to my knowledge none do.
Cheers.