OK I stepped into this carefully *knowing* there are (like me) some grey beards with a lot of wrenching
under their belts, and the pride they earned accumulating all that hard wrenching.
That said; I fancy myself pretty d@^! handy with electricity. Worked with it almost all my life. I'll be
enjoying absolutely free electricity in the next couple years as a result of what I know, and I *won't* be
using any of the "technology" anyone uses to accumulate/obtain electricity. But I digress. Perhaps in
another thread/discussion.
I like the "bucket" analogy you used Jon. I often find myself using water to help others visualize
electricity. But I do it like this; AMPs = VOLUME (like your bucket). VOLTs = SPEED
Example; in auto speak... I can arc a plug with less than 10k volts, and just a few milliamps. But I can
(attempt) to apply 600 amps to that same plug at less than a volt, and there won't be enough volts (speed)
to cross the arc. In spite of the fact there are enough amps to kill a person. The same cannot be said for
volts. Ever been zapped by a coil or spark plug wire? 20-80k volts will sure startle a person. But anyone
in reasonable health will escape the experience unscathed.
The point I was trying to make, was it seemed more likely to me that (due to wear from age) there was not
likely enough surface area to accommodate the AMPs (volume) required. Or perhaps that, and some
accumulated corrosion on those contacts (corrosion = resistance = equals (additional) ohms). Unlike water, electrons
never stop moving which causes friction, which causes additional heat. Given an opportunity (passage) those
rated amps traveling at the speed of 12volts will (because the contact(s) are inadequate, build up heat.
Causing the ultimate failure I believe you experienced.
Your numbers are impressive, and I'll not argue them. I'm only speaking from my own experiences with these
things. I've run everything from dragsters with 392 dodge HEMI's to quater miler stock cars, to rally in a
Datsun 1600 roadster. I'm NOT claiming "expert" just having enough experience to engage in a lively discussion.
All the "stockish" GM HEI's I ever worked with, had no trouble(s) with a 14ga wire running to the bat side of the
"top coil". I knew that at curb idle that the charging system delivered some 2.5amps. Meaning; that I could
disconnect the positive cable while the engine was running, and it wouldn't die. I always assumed that they
rated the first gate at that amperage because it was guaranteed to satisfy the demands of an idling auto. Keeping
the battery from experiencing discharge.
@Jon
While my experiences draw a different conclusion than yours. That doesn't mean you won't ultimately prove me
wrong. While I'm not banking on it. I'm also never too old to learn something new.
IOW any rebuttal I engage in is NOT personal.
In fact, I have everything I need to put my theory/understanding to the test. I'll put everything together this
weekend, and perform some tests with the actual gear we're discussing, and come back with my findings.
h3ll, I may even make a video of it all. So no one can claim "bull".
OTOH I might well find everything you've said is gospel.
I'll be back to this thread with my results this weekend.
All the best to you!
--Chris
