Alternator conversion in situ

[supercat 2001]

My 1958 Morris Minor 948 cc, has been converted to negative
earth, and now sports an Alternator, what i would like to know
is, what would the amperage or load be, 1] with all the the lights out,
and 2] with all the lights on?

[simmitc]

For the lights, add up the total wattage - this will depend on what type of headlamp you have, main or dip beam, and whether the number plate has one or two bulbs in one or two units (varies with model and any replacement parts fitted over the years. Assume:

4 x side lights @ 5w = 20w
2 x number plate @ 5w = 10w
2 x speedo lamp @ 5w = 10w
2 x headlamp @ 55w = 110w
so total 150w. Divide by volts (nominal 12) = 12.5 amp additional load

Brake lights are 2 x 21w = 3.5 amp
Without lights, it's only the coil and fuel pump, both quite light load, probably only a couple of amps, but I'll need to check the exact figures unless anyone else comes along quickly....

[bmcecosse]

Why do you ask ?? The alternator will EASILY handle everything on a Minor.

[supercat 2001]

I,M going to fit a DC thermal heater, for winter, brrrrrrrrr.........
cold up here in Bonny Scotland.......

[MarkyB]

I'm guessing you were born somewhere a lot further South, most Scots seem to be impervious to cold.

The Minor heater can be very effective but does rely on heat from the engine so will only give heat as the engine warms up, the same as any other car really.

[supercat 2001]

Dont have a Minor heater, and it really is beond me,
why someone would by a car from new, and not want
the optional heater??? Minor 1958.

[bmcecosse]

What's a 'DC Thermal Heater' - seems to me ALL heaters will be 'thermal' - and there is no way you can hope to get any significant heat from a heater running on the 12 volt DC supply - the heat has to come from the water jacket around the engine. Pick up a Mini heater for £5 to £10 and be warm and happy!

[phurn]

yeah id have thaught heat output would be almost non existant! the usual alternator is rated at 43 amps isnt it? wont tollerate much in the way of a high wattage heater! not with everything running.

[supercat 2001]

This is the Heater concerned........[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Ho ho ho...... mustn't criticise of course - what wattage is it rated ??

[supercat 2001]

Hi, this is the website for the manufacturers [ and the sale of these units
http://www.dcthermal.com what do you think? a viable option to a "normal
heater" or a bit too futuristic ???

[phurn]

£200???? no way. a hot water bottle would give out more heat. 360w? a heater worth using in somethign that will loose as much heat as a minor woudl have to be rated atleast double that. complete waste of time.... get a heater from a mini on ebay, or a minor. not expensive, and fit that. theres nothign gonna warm your car better than the engine itself!

in mine i have a small heater matrix out of a transit mounted under the dash. gets rediculously warm! t shirts in winter kinda warm! tbh im gonna rip it out and put a standard one in. wont burn my leg on it then!

[bmcecosse]

A Mini heater is good for ~ 2000/3000 watts of heat..... that thing is a joke........

[phurn]

The problem is you'll never really get a useable electric heater when your using 12v. The current draw is insane. I spose in theory you could use a spark generator to get the high voltage, then a hell of a power amp to get the current up.... but then it would have to be self powered so the gain would be low, so you'd have to run several of them in series, and then a filter to eliminate noise, all way complicated, way expensive, for no gain! Just spend a days work and a tender plumbing a proper heater in.

[supercat 2001]

Hi Guys, motorbike ashtray/chocolate teapot springs to mind regarding the DC Heater
anyway, after a good old rummage in the garage, i have found this heater, i think it came from
a 1969 Riley Elf and could it be fitted, and if so, what do i need to do ?[frame][/frame]

[phurn]

i cant make anything out thre, but it doesnt look like it has anywhere to plumb in the engine water, or indeed even draw in the hot air from across the engine, so i cant see it being very good... but i could be mistaken?

[supercat 2001]

Picture number 2, several more to follow...........[frame][/frame]

[supercat 2001]

no 3.............[frame][/frame]

[supercat 2001]

no 4.............[frame][/frame]

[supercat 2001]

thats the lot..............