NomadicD3
26th September 2011, 12:40 PM
Hi All, I recently had an alternator related event from which I was able to ascertain some interesting information and maybe some advice about what to do should someone find themselves in the same situation. I have posted the full story in the “stories thread” for those whom have time to read the complete version however I thought I would post the pertinent details here.
In a fully operational 2.7 tdv6 the current draw whilst the engine is at idle is approximately 27amps, that is with the stereo on but no A/C or lights, add the A/C current draw is about 47 amps and with lights and HID spotlights on the current draw is just over 75 amps.
In the event of an alternator failure!!
The first alarm will be a loss of special programs then HDC, traction control and within a very short time the dash will light up like a Christmas tree. NB the battery warning light may or may not come on. The first alarm appears at about 11.5 volts.
As soon as all the lights come on pull over and remove the fuses for any unnecessary electrical accessories. Personally I disabled the stereo/GPS and the A/C.
Once this was done the vehicle only requires 30 amp at start up and immediately drops back to drawing only 6 amps whilst idling.
In my case with a 66amp/hr battery reading 10.5 volts I was still able start the vehicle and drive {limp} 75 km’s with the above systems disabled. With the same battery the next day reading 12.2 volts at the start of the day I was able to drive 150k’s before any warning lights appeared. The following day with three batteries connected {1x90 amp/hr and 2x 66 amp/hr} and all fully charged {starting voltage 12.97} I was able to drive 640 km’s, which included 1 stop start, at the completion of which the three batteries had 12.2 volts still remaining.
I personally believe that, in the event of an alternator failure, with a single 90 amp/hr primary battery fully charged and with the above mentioned systems disabled and I assume the vehicle still in some sort of LIMP mode, these vehicles are capable of driving in excess of 300 km’s without damaging the battery.
This information is derived purely from personal experience and with some very useful advice from Tim {Drivesafe} and in no way comes with any guarantees. It should also be noted that the vehicle had almost exactly 120 000km’s on the clock and seems to be the common number of K’s for those whom are experiencing alternator failures.
Hope this proves useful to anyone who may be unfortunate enough to go through the same event.
Happy travels all
In a fully operational 2.7 tdv6 the current draw whilst the engine is at idle is approximately 27amps, that is with the stereo on but no A/C or lights, add the A/C current draw is about 47 amps and with lights and HID spotlights on the current draw is just over 75 amps.
In the event of an alternator failure!!
The first alarm will be a loss of special programs then HDC, traction control and within a very short time the dash will light up like a Christmas tree. NB the battery warning light may or may not come on. The first alarm appears at about 11.5 volts.
As soon as all the lights come on pull over and remove the fuses for any unnecessary electrical accessories. Personally I disabled the stereo/GPS and the A/C.
Once this was done the vehicle only requires 30 amp at start up and immediately drops back to drawing only 6 amps whilst idling.
In my case with a 66amp/hr battery reading 10.5 volts I was still able start the vehicle and drive {limp} 75 km’s with the above systems disabled. With the same battery the next day reading 12.2 volts at the start of the day I was able to drive 150k’s before any warning lights appeared. The following day with three batteries connected {1x90 amp/hr and 2x 66 amp/hr} and all fully charged {starting voltage 12.97} I was able to drive 640 km’s, which included 1 stop start, at the completion of which the three batteries had 12.2 volts still remaining.
I personally believe that, in the event of an alternator failure, with a single 90 amp/hr primary battery fully charged and with the above mentioned systems disabled and I assume the vehicle still in some sort of LIMP mode, these vehicles are capable of driving in excess of 300 km’s without damaging the battery.
This information is derived purely from personal experience and with some very useful advice from Tim {Drivesafe} and in no way comes with any guarantees. It should also be noted that the vehicle had almost exactly 120 000km’s on the clock and seems to be the common number of K’s for those whom are experiencing alternator failures.
Hope this proves useful to anyone who may be unfortunate enough to go through the same event.
Happy travels all