Peoples: I am now running 600watts of lights on the front of my car... Is this going to be too much for the alternator.

The good book says the alt has an 85amp max. so it SHOULD be ok. If anyone can give me the all clear, OR tell me something i should do to keep the whole arrangement cool it would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

You mean collectively 600 watts or a set of 600 watt lights? cuz 600 watt lights would be mega bright and would be mega hot, i didn't think you could get them that high :P.

Anyway if you've just got a bunch of lights that all up = 600watts you've got nothing to worry about, unless you have a big stereo.

***EDIT***
Should also just mention though, you'd wanna hook them all up to the battery seperately, dont splice into the existing head light/parker cables as this load would be way too big for the stock wiring.

Mate

I am NOT sure of this but here in the US we (WE=2.6L RWD Starions) use 3rd Gen Mazda RX7 Alternators wich are rated at 100AMPs. Mazda uses ALOT of Mitsubishi parts and the alternators is one of those and they are a DIRECT bolt on to the 2.6L, all you need is to swap out the belt pulley.

This Picture is of a 3rd Gen 1993-1995 Mazda RX7 Turbo 100AMP.

http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/64/63985/USALT-3503.JPG

And this is the Starion 2.6L RWD Alternator 70-80AMP.

http://i4.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/14/22/ef_1_b.JPG

http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/14/72/12_1_b.JPG


So all you need to do is SWAP out the belt pulleys and go! We even make CUSTOM 110AMP and 140AMP Alternators here for members with BIG Stereo systems. And ALL are BOLT on. So if anyone can post a part number and brand I can try to cross refference it with the Starion part number and see if you guys can benefir from this mod.

Hope this helps.
Oscar

Well It sounds like the current 85AMP should be just fine! Yeah it is multiple sets of lights, and they are all relayed, fused, switched and connected to the high beams seperately.

I think I need to get some conduate for all the wires... add wires for an air horn on top of that!

The rated output current of the alternator is only achieved when the alternator is spinning at 6000 rpm, which equates roughly to 2500rpm of the engine. So in traffic with lower engine rpm the output current drops considerable to as low at 14-20amps.

50A just to drive 600W of lights is quite a considerable load on the alternator especially when you still have to power the rest of the car. I would consider a bigger alternator or put a smaller pulley on the alternator or only use the lights when the engine is spinning around 2500rpm

Alternators are standard Bosch etc components, can get them up to 140A I was told.

If your engine doesn't get revved much, a clued-in auto leccy guy can also
modify your pulleys to drive the alternator faster so it charges better at near idle.

Thanks GST74! I'll try it for a few weeks and see how I go... normally I only have the Spotties when i'm crusing round the country at highway type speeds! If I have charging problems I'll definately bump it up!

If A larger alternator is used that would mean that there is less load placed on it... Would this be reflected in petrol consumption?

If A larger alternator is used that would mean that there is less load placed on it... Would this be reflected in petrol consumption?

If a larger alternator is used then yes it would be a lighter load for that particular alternator compared to the standard alternator but since it is still generating the same power it would make no difference to fuel consumption.

the larger alternator is going to be heavier to turn, even at same electrical load, more surface area.. more weight..
so it means will cost more in fuel.. slightly.