How many amps does 7.3l use?

[dingo1990]

Hello,

I wanted to know how many amps a 7.3l 2000 ford uses when at idle and at cruising speed. With all lights on i.e. tail lights, headlights, cluster, radio/music and heater/air. I believe a stock alternator at max amps uses 150 amps. I did a Google search and also looked in our forum but mostly it was about glow plugs and if alternator was going bad. Second question is will it be bad or harmful to the truck to install an alternator that goes up to 300 amps i.e. does it over charge the battery cause overheating or any problems to the current wiring setup in the truck. Thanks for reading and your knowledge.

Questions

1: how many amps does a 2000 7.3l use when at idle and at cruising speed 2200 rpms +/- a few hundred rpms.
2: will it be bad or harmful to the truck to install an alternator that goes up to 300 amps.

[jesilvas]

If you don't upgrade wiring, 300A would be bad.
But alternators are designed to not overcharge

I made my Samsung SGH-I997 send this.

[NoRalPh]

Remember though, it doesn't matter what the maximum output the Alt is capable of, it's what the system "needs" that's going to determine how many amps it Alt will be producing.

300A doesn't mean it's putting that out all the time...

With just the engine running the draw from the electrical system is pretty low and, because we have dual batteries to support the Glow Plug system while cranking over the, high compression motor, there's a tremendous reserve available. Charging those batteries back up normally wouldn't require anything like 300Amps.

When the GPs are ON, there's close to a 200A load, add at least that much more for the starter, but the Alternator isn't activated during those periods and those high loads are only temporary.

Lights, amps, and other aftermarket accessories are the biggest reason to upgrade the Alt, but stock I doubt you'd ever ask the new one to put out anywhere near the 300A. I wouldn't worry about it...

[dingo1990]

Ok I see that a 4 gauge wire is well suited for this. Should I do just alternator wiring or battery as well.

Thank you!

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by dingo1990

Ok I see that a 4 gauge wire is well suited for this. Should I do just alternator wiring or battery as well.

Thank you!

Like denton asked, what are you running for a 300A alt?

I made my Samsung SGH-I997 send this.

[Greenman01]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

Like denton asked, what are you running for a 300A alt?

I made my Samsung SGH-I997 send this.

What he asked. Even with all accessories on, your factory electrical system will not require the maximum amperage the stock alternator can put out.

[campbellflage]

serious audio visual components?

[757kevin]

im wondering the same thing. im running some cb equipment in my truck. im also looking at a 300 amp alt. the amps that i run for my cb can really draw some amps.

[Tj Krawler]

I believe the stock alt is around 110-120 amps.

Originally Posted by 757kevin

im wondering the same thing. im running some cb equipment in my truck. im also looking at a 300 amp alt. the amps that i run for my cb can really draw some amps.

I highly doubt you need a 300 amp alt. If you do, I would go with a factory dual alt setup. I've heard too many cases of the the high output alts failing. At least dual alts will get you home and you can get replacements at just about any parts store if one does go out when you're on the road.

[7.3HeavyHauler]

^^ i'd agree till i saw the video on youtube with that guy adding the 2nd alt, doesn't look fun at all and he's been having a problem finding the right belt, should the OP get a bigger alternator i would keep the one you have as a spare, should it fail easy to change, also with dual alt's you have to get the ecm reprogrammed for dual alt., pick and choose wisely daniel son