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Old 10-08-2022, 08:52 PM
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Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is offline
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1 hp = 746 watts.

Assuming 100% efficiency in the alternator (all physical energy used to spin the alternator is converted to electrical energy output, no losses to heat, friction or the alternator's fan) an alternator supplying 50 amps (at 14 volts = 700 watts) would need 0.93 HP.

It shouldn't make any difference if it is a 62 amp alternator or a 94 amp alternator. The 50 amps either would be supplying would require the same HP input.

Instead of 50 amps, taking current demand down to a more typical 20 amps would reduce the horsepower requirement down to 0.375 horsepower.

Start adding dual electric cooling fans, sound systems that break windows the next block down the street and low riders using electric-powered hydraulics to hop down the street, then electric demands go way up. But even with a 130 amp alternator providing its fully rated output the horsepower demand would only be 2.44 hp.

All these numbers are based on 100% efficiency. If the actual efficiency were 50% (it is likely more) the HP numbers would only double,

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