Using Radar

JimGuy341

For those with radar, do you run your generator when using the radar?  Or are the engine alternators enough to keep up with battery usage?  I have a Garmin Fantom 18" radome.

Grahamu

I have only ever used my engine alternators to run all electronics

raybo3

Same here just engines alt's

grouch0jr

Specs for that radar show the max power consumption as 25 watts, which is a pretty small load. I've never turned my generator on for the radar.

rasbury

Your dual motors, isn't one of the alternator a dummy or not hooked up?

Grahamu

@rasbury, No, both produce power and charge the batteries

Ian

It’s the power steering pump on the port that is doing nothing typically.

rasbury

Ian said:

It’s the power steering pump on the port that is doing nothing typically.

I knew it was something....two alternator must produce a lot of energy that is perhaps not harnessed? Not sure how all that works. 

Grahamu

Each alternator has a sense wire connected to the batteries. As the battery voltage increases (or decreases) the alternators will reduce (or increase) the charge voltage to maintain the batteries at approximately 14.2 VDC