SwimmingDragonfly96
Well Known Member
I'll have a 10", a 7", fly LEDs, a GNX375, pitot heat, and seat heaters in a 7A. I currently have a 40A alternator, should I upgrade to a 60A?
I had a similar question during my build: Do I save money+weight and get a 40A alternator, or go with the 60A? I ended up listing out all of my devices that consumed electric power, came up with a few scenarios, like "taxi" and "takeoff" and "VFR cruise" and simply added up their average current loads.I'll have a 10", a 7", fly LEDs, a GNX375, pitot heat, and seat heaters in a 7A. I currently have a 40A alternator, should I upgrade to a 60A?
Since you already have a 40A which should be plenty sufficient for your equipment, especially that seldom all are on at the same time, it might be both cheaper and wiser to get a back up alternator. MKZ is a 30A generator that can be on the standby and will kick in anytime more juice is demanded that the alternator can not support. This way you have the extra Amp as well as a backup just in case. If you are not familiar with it, look up Monkworkz generator.I'll have a 10", a 7", fly LEDs, a GNX375, pitot heat, and seat heaters in a 7A. I currently have a 40A alternator, should I upgrade to a 60A?
Wasn’t part of your conversation obviously but just to be clear, the 80% rated load is for continuous operations. Excursions into this 20% capacity “margin” are fine. If B&C said otherwise, please share.The good people at B&C Specialties recommended to me to size my alternator to carry a maximum of 80% of it rated load. So, a 40 amp alternator should do very well carrying
32 amps all day!
Chuck
RV-6XXL
I took B&C's recommendation to mean every electrical appliance to be on and operating in a continuously fashion. Battery recharging amperage was never discussed.Wasn’t part of your conversation obviously but just to be clear, the 80% rated load is for continuous operations. Excursions into this 20% capacity “margin” are fine. If B&C said otherwise, please share.