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Battery Size

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SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#856799
Hey all!

I'm curious, to those of you that have connected spotlights and/or have an awesome sound system going on in your bug/kombi/kg or anything in between, what size battery do you have?

My current engine only has a generator, but have bought a 55amp alternator kit to replace this. When I get this, do you recommend I also get a bigger battery or will this fix my issues of too much load on the engine?

My main concern is that if I do, which I intend to do soon, install spotlights on top of my current sound system, that not even the alternator is going to be able to support the massive power drain...

Thanks!
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#856855
Hi
I have always used an EXIDE 52D 470 CCA

The 51 ampere alternator will give You over 600 watts..
I haven't seen a 55 amp VW alternator but maybe they are available.
I always use 55 watt QH driving and fog lamp Bulbs...
the 100 watts is a BIG draw...

it really depends on the Sound System...
I have seen many cars with 75 amp alternators and two large batteries...??

If You turn the sound system UP and the lights go dim...
turn the volume down... lol

cheers

LEE

PS: You can always add another battery on the other side under the seat...
+ positive to +POSITIVE and NEGATIVE -- to NEGATIVE --
still 12 volts... nearly 14 volts with the alternator running..
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#856863
Hey Lee!

I bought this from Classic VeeDub -> https://www.classicveedub.com.au/cvd_new/part_detail.aspx?parts_id=14625

I'm going to see what it is like after installing it and see if my engine doesn't have a massive issue.
Currently, my lights dim when my foot is off the accelerator, and brighter when I accelerate. It is kinda humorous...
I think this is due to the fact that the generator puts out more charge when there are higher revs.

I might consider getting a larger battery if problems still persist.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#856901
Hi
try cleaning all the electrical terminals with a small file or wet & dry paper etc..
also check out the battery terminals and where the battery earth lead bolts to the body,, take the lead off and wire brush the metal and the lead on both sides...
also check if You have an earth lead going to Your gearbox..
the only beele I have driven that the lights went bright and dim did NOT have an earth cable going to the gearbox [engine] so
it earthed out thru the clutch cable and accelerator cables..

cheers

LEE

PS: I see the alternators are now 55 amperes.. not 51.. lol

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#856909
The fuse box can cause lots of problems...

the copper ends on all the wires and the fusebox ends all get contaminated over the years and need cleaning..

not forgetting the bits where the fuses fit...

and take the fuse out and bend the tabs slightly inwards..

makes a better electrical contact..

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#856914
actually, I clicked on Your link to the alternator kit...

then clicked on specials...

and on page 12...

part numbers 113807401A and 113807201B

cheers

LEE

lots of good specials there.. Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 ·

#856980
As Lee mentioned - I would be looking at your engine/gearbox earth. I can understand the lights dropping in brightness slightly at idle, but they shouldn't change when you open and close the throttle at speed.

I had the same problem with the lights dimming when getting off the throttle with my 78 Kombi, plus the oil temp gauge would vary wildly over bumps in the road - I found that someone had left the gearbox earth disconnected at some point in the past. Reconnecting it fixed both the lights and the gauge issues.

R 🙂
40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Founding member of the Gold Coast Dub Club Inc. 🙂