Did some additional research on alternators and here's what I've learned, correct me if I'm wrong. 60 amp alternator only produces ~40 amps at 2000 rpm engine speed. The pulleys on the alternator are set to run at 1 1/2 ratio and that means the alternator is running at 3000 rpm. It will only produce 60 amp at 4000+ rpm engine speed (6000 rpm alternator speed) and who cruises at 4000 rpm!
I know for sure my alternator is rated at 60 amp. With my max load ~55amps that means I'm under powered. It makes sense that at full load my volt meter is dropping down to 12v and when I turn one of accessories off and reduce my amp load down to >30 amps then my volt meter reads back to 14v. If I have all my accessories on and cruising down the road that means I'm drawing some power from my battery and the alternator doesn't have enough juice to run the Cobra and charge my battery which means I might have a problem starting the Cobra if the battery is drained too much. The realities of city cruising for me is such that the cooling fan is running and in the northwest I've got my heater on at high speed and my lights are on cause it gets dark pretty early (can't wait for daylight savings time
), my wife's got the electric blanket plugged in
and my TomTom is navigating my route.
It's time to upgrade to at least a 100 amp alternator which will produce ~65amps at 2000 rpm (engine speed) or 3000 rpm alternator speed.
Thanks for all the help.