Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
But those numbers are for steady current. My amp gauge, like most of our cars, shows its highest current right after starting the car while it's charging the battery -- and even then it's under 20 amps and only for a relatively short while. If your amp gauge is reading consistently over 5 amps all the time then you have a problem. The amperage running through the charging wire is usually very low almost all the time.
Afterthought -- The hghest amperage might be hit though when the fans are still running after the engine has been turned off.
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Trust me, you are drawing too much power, otherwise the wire would be cooler. When the car is running your alternator is supplying the power. Fan, fuel pump, ignition, lights, etc. I've been through this...
Do you know for certain how your amp gauge is wired? It sounds like it is only wired between the battery and alternator, NOT showing the running load.
If you have a good schematic, send it to me.
len