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Back-up Battery

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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby Arkie » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:20 am

Mek-a-nik wrote:I haven't looked into it yet, but I thought that cooling fans draw a lot and need more amperage. Maybe something like this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-810340

How many amps is that alternator, Bo?


Amps are normally less than 15a for 12v automotive cooling fans, typically around 10 amps if spec'ed in Watts (amps=Watts/Volts) ie 90W/12v=7.5 amps, a control relay is required, similar to a horn relay because the electric temp sensor thermostat contacts are not rated to operate the fan load, the temp sensor operates the fan power relay. I think you will have no problems using your 60 amp alternator. If seriously considering the 100 amp alt check the dimensions of the alternator housing. On some vecs a different mounting arrangement and belt is required. A good automotive parts person can check fit specs and tell you if a install kit is available or required.
Also if you have to make a long run from the isolator to the aux battery, like under the chassis thru metal holes, etc, later model fords plus others have large bolt mount fuses that now fuse the alternator OUTPUT wire and are sized around 160 amps or more that are dirt cheap. I would consider using one of these type fuses in the aux battery wire at the isolator or in the Alternator output lead before the isolator.
This alternator output fuse in the later model vec's prevents a completed melt down of the wiring between the alternator output and the battery if a diode shorts in the alternator and/or if Bubba hooks up jumper cables ass backwards and the diode3s in the alternator are drawing a high current due to the reversed connections. (and possible battery explosions) Some older model vec's did not fuse the alternator output. Some older Fords also just used a fuse wire that was smaller than the large alternator wire and it would BURN the wire apart. (color code fuse link wires for different amperages) GM used a similar fuse link.
Also if your vec has a fuse link it's usually sized per the alt output and would probably need to be sized per the upgraded alternator. some GM vec's had their fuse links located underneath by the starter solenoid and not user friendly to replace the fuse link out on the road or even in the driveway. (battery would not charge if the link burned out and sometimes the link would just go bad (open) due to old age/engine heat/vibration)
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby bobodu » Wed Apr 22, 2015 2:49 pm

Mek-a-nik wrote:
How many amps is that alternator, Bo?

140....Ford
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby Arkie » Sat Apr 25, 2015 7:36 am

Another thing to consider is the larger alternator is usually a dual pulley (two matching belts) and if existing is a single pull grove pulley the engine drive pulley/pulleys will require dual groove mods also.
New alternator, pulleys, matching belts, approx. $200 and if doing yourself labor free with a unconditional lifetime warranty even if kinfolks end up with the vec. ;)
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby Mek-a-nik » Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:25 am

I started working on this.
I installed the 100 amp alternator. No problem. I installed a Derale electric cooling fan and relay.
Fan: http://derale.com/products/electric-fan ... 8an-detail
Controller: http://www.jegs.com/i/Derale/259/16759/10002/-1
Everything works fine with the fan. Sort of. The inline 30 amp fuse holder completely melted away. I.E. the rubber housing of the holder AND the plastic covering of the fuse. The only thing left is the internal parts of the fuse and the connecters. (All metal.) It still worked.
Even crazier, I installed the same controller on my garage queen Mustang about a year ago, and it did the same thing. I attributed that to the fan being from a Chevy HHR, and the ratings maybe not matching up.
I don't understand how the rubber and plastic can melt away, and the fuse is still intact?!
"The internal combustion orchestra; sweet music."
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby NO0C » Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:39 pm

Sounds like the fuse holder and wire leads are undersized for the load it is trying to handle. Get a larger rated fuse holder and wire it in replacing the melted one.

I would use a holder like this:

Image

Sometimes the old (tubular glass) is better than the new (blade fuses).
Last edited by NO0C on Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby Mek-a-nik » Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:10 pm

I should've mentioned that I replaced the fuse holders on both vehicles as a starting point. The Mustang's been allright, the truck has only been a day.
Maybe the fuse holders that Delare provides are junk?
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby NO0C » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:43 pm

I would bet the farm on it !
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby Arkie » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:56 pm

NO0C wrote:Sounds like the fuse holder and wire leads are undersized for the load it is trying to handle. Get a larger rated fuse holder and wire it in replacing the melted one.

I would use a holder like this:

Image

Sometimes the old (tubular glass) is better than the new (blade fuses).


Right you got some wimpy fuse holders. As the ends heat the wimpy ones loose their tension and start heating due to poor connections and the fuse may even melt open due to heat (not overcurrent) from bad connections at the terminal ends. Once they heat the terminal ends loose their grip tension and they need to be trashed. Get a good heavy duty fuse holder and you will be ok.
Not easy finding a good heavy duty 30 amp in=line fuse holder now days that will take the glass type round fuses.
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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby NO0C » Tue Aug 18, 2015 12:54 am

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Re: Back-up Battery

Postby Mek-a-nik » Tue Aug 18, 2015 11:56 am

I replaced them with whatever Napa sold me; they are spade type. I'll see how they hold up. I like that glass set-up.
I did crimp, not solder. I know I should solder them. I like oozing the solder in, as to to get all of the wire strands in touch with the connector. Is that some kind of ancient Chinese thing? "Velly good, Glasshoppa"

Also, I have an isolater. http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-IGD140HP-140 ... B001DKRF2M
It'll get installed In the next couple months. (Slow and steady win the race.) :D
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