Ferrari Mailing List: Re: [NFC] Amps draw for A8

[Martin Stark (MStark]

So here's what probably caused the alternator to fail.  The oil pressure 
switch developed a leak that allowed oil to flow out of the plastic 
surrounding its terminal connector.  The oil followed the wire forward  
towards the alternator and a little dripped into the alternator and onto 
its brushes.  This caused an increase in resistance between the brushes 
and the slip rings that was compensated for by the regulator until the 
regular succumbed to the increased field voltage. This is the second 
time I replaced a defective oil pressure switch in an Audi.  Audi dips 
into its VW parts bin too frequently, yet I continue to buy Audis (am 
now shopping for an S8) - I must stop taking stupid pills.

Martin Stark wrote:

> Made it back okay.  The trip used about 40% of the capacity of the three 
> battery farm. Voltage (under load) was 12.20 at the end of the 2.5 hr., 
> 135 mile trip.
>
> clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net wrote:
>
>  
>
> > Hey dude you make it back?
> >
> > Clyde
> > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Martin Stark <MStark [at] Copper.net>
> >
> > Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:07:15 
> > To: clyde<clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net>
> > Cc: The FerrariList<ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Ferrari] [NFC] Amps draw for A8
> >
> >
> > Todd,
> >
> > Thanks for the info.  I guessed the A8 would draw around 30 amps, that's 
> > why I went nutso in the battery department.  Pulling the alternator is 
> > enough of a PITA, I don't want to add breaking down at the side of the 
> > road to that.
> >
> > ~Marty
> >
> > Todd Walke wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >    
> >
> > > Martin wrote:
> > >
> > >       I measured the actual amp draw on my GTI some years ago while 
> > > trying to track down an electrical issue.  I believe it drew around 10 amps 
> > > at idle.  I'd suspect a newer car, with more cylinders and more electronics 
> > > would probably draw 15-20 or so at speed.
> > >       Typical car batteries have 90-120 minutes of Reserve 
> > > Capacity.  Reserve Capacity is number of minutes a fully charged battery at 
> > > 80deg F can supply 25 amps before dropping below 10.5 volts.  I'd think 
> > > with three batteries and a car pulling around 25 amps, you have a good 
> > > chance to make a 2.5 hour drive.
> > >
> > > Todd
> > > Seattle,WA
> > > '86 GTI, Red of course. (exciting racey car) 270,000 miles
> > > '01 Golf TDI, silver.   (new work car)       210,000 miles
> > > '87 Golf, Polar Silver. (retired work car)   654,000 miles <- Gone to a new 
> > > home :(
> > > http://www.pureluckdesign.com <-Ferrari & VW stuff
> > >
> > >
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> > >   
> > >
> > >      
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