If I was spinning up a car alternator with a small engine, say 5HP, what size alternator (amps) should I expect to be able to run?
Auto alternators and small engines.
Sep 02, 2004
5 Replies
It depends from the alternator specification. An alternator for a small car can deliver 35 A max., while, for a fully equipped SUV, well above 120A.
A 5 Hp engine develops about 3700 watts. At 13.8 volts this would come out to 270 amps. Neither number takes into account any inefficiency.
So you think 100a would work OK?
You shouldn't have to worry about the engine stalling with 100 watts.
more like 1400w
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