Hi guys, I have a old little 14hp diesel Kubota with a bad dyno, I'm thinking about retrofitting a small 12v alternator to it, perhaps from a 1986 chevette or something. I really only need it to recharge the battery. I rarely use the lights. My question is, how much HP does a alternator take up? and is it under full load when charging up the battery? then the load drops? any info would be appreciated. I don't want to add it if it will rob me of power.
- Thread starter Jay87T
- Start date
Brendon-KS
Well-known Member
- Location
- Goessel, KS
Power in watts is amps times voltage so multiply your alternator's amperage rating by 14 volts to get the approximate watts. 1000 watts equals 1.34 hp so assuming a 60 amp alternator this would give a theoretical 1.13 hp. Converting power (in this case mechanical to electrical) is never 100% efficient so call it around 2 hp input power requirement. However, this is assuming max current from the alternator which from what you describe probably wouldn't be the case (at least not for very long) so the input power requirement would be proportionally less.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
I doubt you would even notice any difference. Especially since all you are doing is keeping the battery up.
As others have said maybe five or six amps for a minute or two and then down to almost nothing after that. If you want to see real power,, I once built a portable jump start charger system with an 8hp Briggs a big 12 volt battery, a wheel kit,and it had a 100amp cop car alternator. The alternator was way over kill but impressive looking. Engine would grunt and the battery would lite up, but Zap it was charged!
An alternator is only going to charge what it needs to charge. It varies each time you start the engine. The variables come from how long has it been since the battery last saw a charge, the temperature of the battery makes a big difference.
I have seen the old Delco Alternators kill an 18hp Twin Cylinder engine while it was idling and the alternator was full fielded manually which means the alternator regulator was by-passed and the alternator was charging its maximum possible at that RPM. I've done it many times to prove how strong magnetism in the alternator really is.
I have seen the old Delco Alternators kill an 18hp Twin Cylinder engine while it was idling and the alternator was full fielded manually which means the alternator regulator was by-passed and the alternator was charging its maximum possible at that RPM. I've done it many times to prove how strong magnetism in the alternator really is.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
jay87,
FYI. The new alternators I have on my Jubilee and Farmall C won't produce current until I the RPMs on Jubilee go over 1200. I have to rev the Farmall C up before it will produce too. So it's a game of pulley sizes that may determine when your altenator will start producing. So the faster engine speed, less likely alternator will stall your engine. What's it going to hurt, try it and post back? geo
FYI. The new alternators I have on my Jubilee and Farmall C won't produce current until I the RPMs on Jubilee go over 1200. I have to rev the Farmall C up before it will produce too. So it's a game of pulley sizes that may determine when your altenator will start producing. So the faster engine speed, less likely alternator will stall your engine. What's it going to hurt, try it and post back? geo
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
I had my alternator(dyno) on my 1988 F2000 go out last year(seized). A new one was $70. While I was waiting for it to arrive, I replaced the bearings in the old one for $10. New one is still on the shelf.
J.Wondergem
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rockford, Mi.
I don't think you'll notice any difference, just put it on and run it.
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