How many accessories are too much?

[mvilla]

So I have a lot of lights, speaker amps, compressor, winch, etc. all wired to the vehicle. I’m also planning on installing the EcoFlow alternator charger.

Is there a limit to the number of accessories I can reasonably connect? How would I calculate that? I assume adding up all of the amp these accessories draw, but what about the vehicle itself?

I have a 2.7 with the 240 amp alternator (which was just replaced along with the battery after a mud incident)

Sponsored

 

[HighVelocity]

It might be time to unsubscribe from the JC Whitney catalog.

Keep in mind, you aren't running everything all at once. Just as the branch circuits in a house can add up to more than the main, you aren't using ALL that 200 amps at the same time.

 

[MNBigfoot]

If I were to install a winch and compressor, I'd use an Anderson connector and they'd be plugged in when needed.

 

[Brian_B]

Reasonably Connect? No, not really. Just a matter of making the wiring look pretty. As many as you can get hooked up and have the weight capacity to haul around.

Run simultaneously - yes, absolutely there is a limit. The stock alternator is 240A or so, and you need a good chunk of that just to run the Bronco's stock stuff (electronics, ignition, fuel pump, power steering, fans, etc).

Go beyond that and it will work, for a while, but your pulling from the reserve in the battery. That's fine for very intermittent loads, like a winch or air compressor, where you only do it for a few minutes and then the battery gets a chance to charge back up. Your starter does this every time the engine starts. Less fine if you try doing it 100% duty cycle, where it will kill your battery and your alternator can't keep up.

 

[mvilla]

Reasonably Connect? No, not really. Just a matter of making the wiring look pretty. As many as you can get hooked up and have the weight capacity to haul around.

Run simultaneously - yes, absolutely there is a limit. The stock alternator is 240A or so, and you need a good chunk of that just to run the Bronco's stock stuff (electronics, ignition, fuel pump, power steering, fans, etc).

Go beyond that and it will work, for a while, but your pulling from the reserve in the battery. That's fine for very intermittent loads, like a winch or air compressor, where you only do it for a few minutes and then the battery gets a chance to charge back up. Your starter does this every time the engine starts. Less fine if you try doing it 100% duty cycle, where it will kill your battery and your alternator can't keep up.

Any idea roughly how many amps it takes to run the stock stuff? Is that even published anywhere?

 

[mvilla]

It might be time to unsubscribe from the JC Whitney catalog.

Keep in mind, you aren't running everything all at once. Just as the branch circuits in a house can add up to more than the main, you aren't using ALL that 200 amps at the same time.

yeah, it’s getting out of hand lol. I believe DC power engineering will be releasing an upgraded 270 amp alternator soon. That extra power might help me squeeze a few more lights on it!

 

[Brian_B]

Any idea roughly how many amps it takes to run the stock stuff? Is that even published anywhere?

Depends on what’s running really - ASS, headlights, electric brake boosters, electric power steering, all that stuff that hits at various times and isn’t a steady load. I should see if I can catch the amp output when it’s trying to charge at 15+ volts - that would be a good approximation

 

[Rumbloki]

Always room for one more

 

[Rydfree]

Always room for one more

Where did you find my AR ? I lost it in a boating accident a few years ago .

 

[Rydfree]

yeah, it’s getting out of hand lol. I believe DC power engineering will be releasing an upgraded 270 amp alternator soon. That extra power might help me squeeze a few more lights on it!

You just need to install one of these and stay below 88mph or things can get outta hand .

 

[RimrockPaul]

So I have a lot of lights, speaker amps, compressor, winch, etc. all wired to the vehicle. I’m also planning on installing the EcoFlow alternator charger.

Is there a limit to the number of accessories I can reasonably connect? How would I calculate that? I assume adding up all of the amp these accessories draw, but what about the vehicle itself?

I have a 2.7 with the 240 amp alternator (which was just replaced along with the battery after a mud incident)

Any idea roughly how many amps it takes to run the stock stuff? Is that even published anywhere?

Just keeping adding load till it pukes.

 

[gwp]

It might be time to unsubscribe from the JC Whitney catalog.

Keep in mind, you aren't running everything all at once. Just as the branch circuits in a house can add up to more than the main, you aren't using ALL that 200 amps at the same time.

JC Whitney is a name I have not heard in decades!

Sponsored