Thread: running extra lights .

You need to talk to Drivesafe, Mick. He's the expert

Assuming the 2a has the original equipment, it has a 22amp generator or a 30amp alternator in the six. Neither of these will run four extra driving lights of any reasonable wattage - for example, four 100w lights will take about 35amps, apart from anything else such as your normal lights.

And you cannot rely on a generator or alternator giving their rated output all the time - in particular, the generator will produce virtually no current when idling, and probably no more than three or four amps even at a fast idle.

If you upgrade to a high output alternator, be careful that you do not run much extra current through the existing wiring and switchgear, as they are not designed for it (and the S2a has virtually no fuses!)

John

depends on how muc hextra lighting you want.

the stock 35amp alternator will generally give enough output to drive standard highbeam headlights, an engle, 2 spotlights and the other general vehicle electrics but thats about it, much more will need at least a 55 amp alternator and much more than a 55 amp alternator generally needs a wiring upgrade for the vehicles charging system.

what other wiring you need to change depends on what you wire in.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Assuming the 2a has the original equipment, it has a 22amp generator or a 30amp alternator in the six. Neither of these will run four extra driving lights of any reasonable wattage - for example, four 100w lights will take about 35amps, apart from anything else such as your normal lights.

And you cannot rely on a generator or alternator giving their rated output all the time - in particular, the generator will produce virtually no current when idling, and probably no more than three or four amps even at a fast idle.

If you upgrade to a high output alternator, be careful that you do not run much extra current through the existing wiring and switchgear, as they are not designed for it (and the S2a has virtually no fuses!)

John

Howdy John , We have rewired the 2a ourselves and have put in a aftermarket blade fuse box . we are now running about 5 fuses instead of the 2 that they originally had . The head lights run on a seperate fuse to everything else and it's the 2.25P motor with standard alternator .

Originally Posted by wannalandy

Howdy John , We have rewired the 2a ourselves and have put in a aftermarket blade fuse box . we are now running about 5 fuses instead of the 2 that they originally had . The head lights run on a seperate fuse to everything else and it's the 2.25P motor with standard alternator .

The 2a had as standard on the 2.25 a generator not an alternator - as noted above. The alternator was not fitted until the Series 3, although this is a good upgrade on the Series 2a. The standard alternator though, is only a 30 or perhaps 35 amp one - this is not enough to supply four extra lights, even if only 55watt bulbs are used. To run the more than two extra lights you will need to fit a larger alternator.

John

Many thanks for that John . Another question . Where abouts am i likely to get an alternator powerful enough to run all the lights including the 4 on the roof ? repco , autopro or some shop like that or whould i have to get one made up to handle all this ?

Originally Posted by wannalandy

Many thanks for that John . Another question . Where abouts am i likely to get an alternator powerful enough to run all the lights including the 4 on the roof ? repco , autopro or some shop like that or whould i have to get one made up to handle all this ?

Might be an Idea to check the legality of placing lights that high above the originals, a mate of mine was booked in NSW for having lights on his roof, Probably get a bunch of blokes saying they've got lights on their roofs and the haven't been booked, but last time I looked it was illegal, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by wannalandy

Many thanks for that John . Another question . Where abouts am i likely to get an alternator powerful enough to run all the lights including the 4 on the roof ? repco , autopro or some shop like that or whould i have to get one made up to handle all this ?

Assuming that there is an alternator already fitted, pull it off and take it to a wrecker and see what you can get which will fit the same bracket. Should be able to find a reasonable choice. If a generator is fitted currently you will need to get an alternator bracket to replace the generator bracket and go from there.

John