Scott, Your correct that the car will only take what it needs as long as the source can deliver. My builder told me that he test at 2000 ( Factory 3000 ) rpm, 100amp fixed load, ( factory 80 amp load )and he cranckes up a variable load on top of the fixed load till the alternator reaches 13 volts. Lower RPM and all comes down in proporation. That's also why we use a smaller pully for a faster spin at lower rpm. Original used a small also. At that point 150 amps +/-. I can't tell you exact, but here is what my builder told me this morning. Current draw ( average ): 12vdc AC Compressor--16 to 18 amps Wire resistance for compressor add about 20%+ 3.5 amps De Lorean Cooling Fans= 28 to 30amps Head lamps depending on dim or bright=10-15 amps Battery to charge and to keep hot=20-30amps,you can charge as low 3v. Other,Resistance in wire all over + radio,dome,door=5amps. On the low side the total is 82.5 amps On the high side the total is 101.5 As we all know most all these thing may not be on at the same time. I have not tested all this but it was just a quik summation. Now factor in heat and how much does it drop. Watch how your gauge,up and down, hot weather to cold weather, idle to running, loaded to unloaded and cold alt in morn to hot after running a while. The idea as I see it is to keep the needle above 13 volts as much as you can in the worst case. I think DMCJOE said something about 11 or 12 volts a while back before you start running other trouble. I'll let him expound on that if he wants to. But:Texas heat, 95 Degree out side, crusing stop and go at low RPM at night with lights on and air on. That's about the worst. If you look at the shop manual, I don't think there is any way to meet the spec. Oh. and they are talking at 68 degree. John --- In dmcnews@xxxx, "Scott Mueller" <scott.a.mueller@xxxx> wrote: > If I remember correctly, the alternator will only produce the amount of > current that the car requires. The rating 105 Amp or 150 Amp is the maximum > rated current for the alternator. I am curious though, how much current can > the wiring handle between the alternator and the battery? > > Scott Mueller > DOA/DMCNEWS > 002981 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Stian Birkeland > Subject: [DML] Alternator Question! > > > > > > I have one question regarding the "new" alternators. I see that there are > > various suggestions for replacement alternators... > > > > DeLorean Midstates offers a 105 Amp alternator as do Grady and DMC Joe. > > Mr. Hervey now offers one with even a higher output (150 I believe it was) > > > > My question is: > > Is it advisable to replace the original alternator with one with a much > > higher output than the original one? > > > > Is there a "limit" as to how high output should be in the DeLorean? > > What difference is there between the 105 and 150? I have 90amp with > FanZilla > > and I "feel" its enough power for all the systems in the car. > > > > Can a very high alternator output damage anything in the electrical > system? > > What about the battery's condition? > > > > Just curious... > > > > Best wishes > > Stian Birkeland > > Norway > > > > VIN # 06759 (w/original 90amp Motorola)