Hi Roy,

On 28-Sep-03, Roy J. Tellason wrote to Greg Mayman:

 RJT>> I don't think it's much heavier than that,  though I could find
 RJT>> out when I get my hands on those wiring diagrams.  And it's not
 RJT>> like it's carrying that current continuously.  The ammeter in
 RJT>> the truck is actually marked with a "40" at each
end,  and it's
 RJT>> *very* seldom I've ever seen it go the whole way over,  and then
 RJT>> only for a fairly short period of time.

Most trucks of that vintage have very little extra power demmand than
the starter and the lights. The starting power goes back in quickly
(it's surface discharge of the battery plates), any other discharge
(from leaving it parked for a period with the running lights on)
produces deeper discharge of the battery plates which can only be
replaced much more slowly.

 GM>> Yes, that's right. The leads usually aren't very long as the
 GM>> battery is usually near the alternator. And 5000A/squ.inch isn't
 GM>> all that heavy, certainly not when that is only reached
 GM>> occasionally.

 RJT> Thinking about it,  the battery is on the driver's side,  and the
 RJT> alternator isn't.  Same thing holds true for my car,  which has a
 RJT> sideways-fitted V-6 in it,  the alternator is at the rear of the
 RJT> engine compartment,  diagonally opposite the battery's position.
 RJT> Not sure about our other car offhand

Usually they keep the battery near the _starter_, the currents battery
to starter are _far_ higher than any others, and the battery to
starter cable thicker than any other in the vehicle.

George

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