Charging Battery with Alternator - Warning
It seems in retrospect that loads began to get underestimated as electric items got added and changed. A big one was the change in headlamps around '73, also having the parking lights on with the headlights, and then the addition of side markers. For emissions controls the run circuit sometimes got electric choke assist, idle stop solenoid, etc. All that little stuff added up.
That said, the current needs of a mid 70s A-body will be similar to those I measured on my '85 Grand Wagoneer. This is alternator output measured with a clamp meter.
Its pretty similar in terms of electrical equipment and lighting. Only notable difference is the self-energizing 12SI alternator.
That would still be within the capacity of a '34 amp' Chrysler alternator while driving down the road, or high idle.
But it could not do all those things and recharge the battery at slow idle.
Also, 27 amps through a single 1/4" wide blade connector - that's probably pushing the limits of what those connectors should be used for.
This is the advantage of splitting the alternator output wires before the bulkhead (1975-76 standard), or using spade (1963, 65) or ring terminals as on some of the optional heavy duty wiring.
It seems in retrospect that loads began to get underestimated as electric items got added and changed. A big one was the change in headlamps around '73, also having the parking lights on with the headlights, and then the addition of side markers. For emissions controls the run circuit sometimes got electric choke assist, idle stop solenoid, etc. All that little stuff added up.
That said, the current needs of a mid 70s A-body will be similar to those I measured on my '85 Grand Wagoneer. This is alternator output measured with a clamp meter.
Its pretty similar in terms of electrical equipment and lighting. Only notable difference is the self-energizing 12SI alternator.
That would still be within the capacity of a '34 amp' Chrysler alternator while driving down the road, or high idle.
But it could not do all those things and recharge the battery at slow idle.
Also, 27 amps through a single 1/4" wide blade connector - that's probably pushing the limits of what those connectors should be used for.
This is the advantage of splitting the alternator output wires before the bulkhead (1975-76 standard), or using spade (1963, 65) or ring terminals as on some of the optional heavy duty wiring.
