Charging system fixed

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Dec 10, 2007 | 10:21 PM

#11

Jfsram

4th Gear Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,999

From:

RE: Charging system fixed

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 86 5.0L

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Jfsram

This is a serious question. Why is charging at idle so important?

I've been discharging at idle since I bought my car. It's very low during idle and accessories on, especially fans and AC at the same time.

My battery has never went dead and even after getting caught in traffic, forcing me to discharge for a good length of time, I can easily start the car afterwards.

becuase if it doesnt charge at idle theres a problem with something, the alternator, the grounding, plus who whats a dead battery after sitting in stop-n-go traffic [:-]

I know what the problem is. I have underdrive pullies and electrical loads some other cars don't see.
My Mustang is AC, rear defrost, electric fan. Sometimes in the bad weather like snowing conditions. I need my windsheild defrost which kicks on the AC which kicks on the electric fan. Add the heater blower fan and rear defrost, headlights and it's discharge city. My battery is in the trunk too so the long positive cable doesn't help either.

Even with such a load. I don't let it idle like that for long. Just drive it smartly. Meaning if traffic allows use a gear that will keep the rpms higher than 1500. Then make that last dash into the parking lot with the rear defrost off and kick the heater blower fan back to low.

Either way. That rare scenario is only 5% of my driving. The other 95% of the time my alternator easily charges my battery. I even leave my lights on for short periods of time like when I buy gas. Still. Lotsa juice stored up to start the car.