- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 19,492
- Points
- 3,294
Wouldn't it be mostly for cranking up the engine?
That's what the battery does.
All the alternator has to do is powe the lights, heater fan, the electronics and replace the small amount of energy used when the engine was started. Some days it will be running the heated window but again those peak loads would normally come from the battery.
The power steering is also battery dependent but it needs A LOT , especially at low speed when the engine is not really driving the alternator very hard.
The solution was a stonking alternator that will make useful power even at very low engine speeds.
The alternator/power steering drive belt is a multi-vee, tensioned by a spring roller. The belt will wear so if you suspect its' slipping you need to fit a new one. Get a mirror and torch to look at the grooved side where it folds back over the tensioner. If there is cracking across the Vee ribs, you need a new belt.
Last edited: