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| | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 27 | advice needed please
my 54 AD has a 350/350 on a camaro subframe, the mechanical cooling fan only seems to cover the lower half of the radiator beacause of the low engine mounting.
i want to upgrade to an 16" electic fan (mr gasket 1988), but only have a one wire 63 amp alternator, will this be able to cope with the output of the electric fan at idle?
The only other main draw on the alternator is the HEI ignition and an aftermarket blower which i rarely use and the lighting circuit, which again i do not do mch night driving.
The rad is a champion 3 core alu.
What do you guys think?
best wishes
Keith
if it ain't greasy it ain't diddly
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Keith,
Wait to hear from an electrical system expert; however, once a 1-wire alternator is "excited" and starts to charge, it will then charge at low RPM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 27 | Thanks Tim
There must be electrickry experts out there
if it ain't greasy it ain't diddly
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | Don't know about the "expert" moniker, but I've been repairing and teaching auto electrical systems for 50+ years. Your alternator should handle the cooling fan load without a problem. The charging system, whether generator or alternator, supplies all the electrical load such as ignition, lights, heater fan, etc. before applying whatever is left over to charge the battery. Even if the cooling fan draws 20 amps or more, you've still got 40 or so to carry the other loads and recharge the battery. The only time the alternator will be operating close to its full output will be immediately after starting when the starter draw from the battery is being replaced. That usually happens within the first 5 minutes of operation after starting. If the battery terminal voltage stays above 13 volts with all the accessories running, the battery will stay charged without a problem. With minimum load and a fully-charged battery, the voltage with the engine running after 15-30 minutes will stabilize somewhere in the 14-14.5 volt range.
Jerry
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| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 27 | thanks Jerry for the help, i will go ahead and put on the electric fan,
i know that i am thousands of miles away, but you guys have aways been fantastic when i have needed some advise
god bless
keith
if it ain't greasy it ain't diddly
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