Electronics

RotorMotor2 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 11

how do i measure my Parasitic loads in my car?

please see page 11 for why i want to know:
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/files/techbook.pdf

i also bought this solar panel:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110055682948&ssPageName=STRK:MEAFB:IT

in order to help out for in car and out of car battery storage of my special battery, could this ever overcharge my battery if left unattended for long periods? days? weeks? months? could i connect this solar panel to a float type device that would only charge when needed and cut the charging when not needed?

also how do i measure how many AMPs i would need to look for when i look for an alternator? i have many electronics in my car and although i probably would not use them all at the same time i want to make sure i have enough amps:
i have a 100a alternator from the factory and this is what aftermarket things i have:

Playstation 2 8.5v 5.65a
kenwood gps navigation with touch screen
ignition amplifier
laptop charger 12v input & 80w 4a 19v output
wideband o2 sensor with datalogger 2a
5 autometer C2 gauges (indiglo)
turbo timer w/4 digit display
aftermarket ECU with hand controller with backlight display and LEDs
aftermarket fuel pump
sometimes a 110v power inverter
sometimes a cell phone charger

i think that is all..... any help?

thanks,
Jeremy

neon · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 570

First of all once you start the car the generator takes over and charges the battery and run the car if you will. after start you may disconnect your battery and the car will not die. But at the same time the battery will not charge either. it is about 7 amperes normaly used for ignition and stuff. there is no way in the world that you can put a 100 amps load on your car not without frying the wires and blow fuses. All your gadgets amount to a silly worry for nothing. Depends on how big the solar panel is sun exposure it will be inpossible to charge a car battery in a week a 12" panel maybe .5amps that is trickle charge for a 24A/hour battery.On the other hand lleave lights on battery is dead in a couple of hours but then again lights do use tremendous amp /hour. Nowdays with LED light it will last much longer.

RotorMotor2 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 11

i dont think mazda would have put a 100a alternator in the car if they knew it would blow all the wires and fuses, the alternator is OEM i was just seeing if i needed to upgrade to a 150a alternator in order to keep charging my battery under all circumstances, keep in mind i have a small drycell battery, (see details above)

RotorMotor2 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 11

anybody else? viable questions to me......

neon · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 570

It also made capable to go 120m/hr see if it is true. or better yet put 1200 watts amplifier on your trunk you might get some one attention on the subject..

RotorMotor2 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 11

the basic question is to find the load on the battery when the engine is off for items sutch as the memory for the ECU and the sterio and alarm sensors etc... i know these are not much but with the spec info from my battery it is very important, it says with NO load the battery will drain to 30% power in about 30 days, which is the minimum to start the car.... with a parastic load on the battery this drain time is faster, i need to find out how much so i can make a circuit (with my 2a solar panel) to keep the battery up without overcharging the battery (which is verry bad for my drycell) this is why i am posting these questions on this fourm instead of the mazda fourm i usually use..... electronics help is needed, i have provided the details needed and am not as framiliar with these things as i assume some of you are. with this in mind. any help?

the second question is to find out if i need to upgrade my alternator. is there another test for this? can i turn on all my accessories and blow or burn up my alternator? that is why i am posting here.....

neon · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 570

your battery load or no load will drain to 33% in 30 days and so everybody else battery. and a 100 amp generator is plenty enough to charge your battery including everybody else.

RotorMotor2 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 11

ok, i dont need any sarcasism and i dont need answers to questions i did not ask, what i need is the answer to the questions i do ask witch is "HOW DO I MEASURE PARASITIC LOAD?" just because my alternator can properly charge my battery when the car is running does not do crap for me when the car sits for long periods at a time in between usage, THAT is why i need to see how much load is being used in order to determine how to keep the battery maintained properly while in between usage. i dont need any rude responces or sarcasism, i came on this site to get help from people with more electronics knowledge than me and i asked politely and would appreaceate it back.

neon · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 570

This is getting comical. You can bit your last dollar that i will not ever answer or help you again. Your habdle should be motor mouth200. Keep on asking question but do not listen. Your special battery is not any better then anybody else battery. READ I told you how to measure your load did you do it NO. I told you 100 amp gen is plenty enough how are you going to get 100 amps into a battery well maybe a shorted battery HOW long can it last pay ATTENTION i don't know nobody knows it depends on the battery usage, age even storage temperature YOU want a number OK 7 days are satisfyed and leave this board alone with with your continous stupid quaestions. Koledge is not something that you are born with you work at it. CAPISCE

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