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islandvagabonds's avatar
islandvagabonds
Explorer
May 30, 2020

Running norcild 1200 off the alternator

I have just replaced my second alternator in seven years (50k miles).
I have occasionally run the fridge on invertor while driving at high altitudes. The 425 watt heaters should draw about 45amps at 12 volts. Adding 10 to 15 amps for chassis demands total altrnatorload should be 60+-. The alternator on the cat diesel is supposedly rated to 160amps.
Am I expecting too much from the altrnator?
What are others experiences with this?
Thanks for the feedback.
Bob
Class A

12 Replies

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  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    May 30, 2020
    The refer elements do NOT draw 12 volt DC power. 1200 models have 2 AC elements and they pull 1.7 amps AC EACH for a draw of 3.4 amps AC. That is 408 WATTS AC . Your Inverter has MORE than enough power to run the AC elements and it will not cause failures of Alternators. If you have premature failure of Alternators, something else is causing it. 7 years and 50k sounds like a good run for an Alternator on a Diesel motorhome. Doug
  • MountainAir05's avatar
    MountainAir05
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2020
    You model unless I am reading wrong is AC for the heater You get better cooling with gas. Your inverter also draws. But to answer your question unless your inverter is drawing too much then no unless you are near the max draw all the time. I figure around 5 amp plus what the inverter draws.

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