[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by "QUICK-SILVER"

OP's car has dual electric fans. The MAD amendment doesn't cover what happens in the event of alternator failure and you have to drive home on the battery. Better carry spare wire and spare fusible link with you every where you go. That would include tools needed and an assortment of wire terminals/connectors.

Needs wired so the battery takes the spike from fans kicking on. Instead of the alternator going into overtime evey time the fans come on. Same for headlights. I'd want the power supply for them on the B+ side of the remote solenoid. And would want adequate guage wire from alt output to that same solenoid lug.

Just not good with some of MAD's thinking
Clay

Well MAD does show a 2 fan setup, but regardless, unless you have a PWM controller, it's still going to take a hit. You just use 2 relays.

A good way to pad the power spike is with a stereo cap, it works. But you should still run a PWM controller. That spike not only can damage the battery, it will also take out alt regulators.

Headlights are not as much of a spike as fans are, and usually not anything to be concerned about. Unless of course you are running HiD, or maybe high output Halogens.

If you have twin fans and your alt goes bad, you're not going to make it very far with or without the fans. So a jumper wire is pointless, the batt will drain within a few mins. Especially at night. Basically what will happen is you're driving, and then notice lights are getting dim, you pull over, and that's it. You won't even be able to start it without a jump. And even then, once you pull the jumper cables, it will most likely just die, especially with an electronic dizzy.

If you're running a AMG type battery, when the alt goes bad, either a full charge or an 'off' type failure, it damages a cell. You generally only have 6. And there's no fixing it once a cell is damaged. Without one or two cells, it just won't charge all the way, or it will show an error on the charger (hopefully you are using a smart charger with an AMG or dry cell batt). But if it's 3 cells, you turn the engine off, it most likely not have enough power to start. And running a batt with a bad cell or two can also take out alt regulators.


EDIT: Basically, once you see the light on the dash go on, you're done. You use that time to get to a safe pull off area, and call a truck.


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