Possible charging fault cause

[devilmaycare]

1000 watts is 83 amps @ 12 volts

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[badgx]

P=IV

[Pappajohn]

Just done it again tonight.....

start engine...14.4v
headlamps and seat heaters, but NO heater fan....14.4v

after 10 minutes check ambient air temperature..35 F...check engine temp 121 F (usually 190-ish when hot)

turned on heater to 1st click above low.......11.8v in less than one minute.

I suspect because of the low ambient temp the electric heating was still active.

I must pull those fuses to really see what happens then....i reckon all will be as it should be, 14.4v with the fan on..

[devilmaycare]

It looks like you've confirmed the voltage drop being the result of electric heating being activated, however, I don't think 11.8 volts should cause the instrument panel lights to flicker.

[Simon@thecustom300cshop]

Even with the electric heating element coming on it shouldn't affect the voltage that much. It is either the alternator isn't up to the job or the heater is faulty. I would have thought if the heater was the problem it would blow a fuse. Perhaps its worth hooking a running car up to it on decent jump leads and see if it lowers the voltage that much when another cars alternator is helping?